Three nippers who raced to the aid of two women who were swept off rocks near Avoca Beach were in the water training for their surf rescue certificate when they found themselves in the middle of a real rescue operation.
The 13-year-old boys, all nippers with the Avoca Beach Surf Life Saving Club, paddled their rescue boards about 500 metres along the beach on Wednesday afternoon to reach the two women, who were believed to be sitting on the rocks just after 4pm when a large wave washed them into the water.
One of the women, aged 27 from Bankstown, drowned at the beach, while a 25-year-old woman from Casula was taken to Gosford Hospital in a critical but stable condition.
The nippers supported the women in the water before they rode with them on the back of jet skis to the beach, where they were assisted by lifeguards and club members.
Inspector Nigel Webber, from Gosford Police, said the actions of the nippers helped save one woman's life.
"Even though it's dreadful and unfortunate that one has passed away, the quick thinking of these young nippers has definitely assisted in saving one of the females," he said.
The nippers sat and passed their surf rescue exam later that afternoon.
Avoca Beach Surf Life Saving Club president Garry Clarke said the boys were paddling their rescue boards near the point at Avoca Beach in preparation for their rescue exam when they received the distress call.
He said a woman on Endeavour Drive, which overlooks the beach, first noticed the two women in trouble and phoned emergency services, before an ocean kayaker paddled over to them and tried to support them in the water.
When the kayaker could not support the women's weight, he signalled to the nippers for help, before he went to raise the alarm at the beach.
By the time the nippers and lifeguards reached the women, one was already unconscious.
"The nippers assisted the lifeguards in getting the patients back to the beach," Mr Clarke said.
"[The nippers] are absolutely trained to do that. It is a great effort from the young people, and from everyone involved."
Lifeguards performed CPR on one woman but she was pronounced dead when the ambulance arrived. The second woman was flown to hospital.
"From all reports it was a dramatic situation. Everyone involved played an important part in rescuing one of the people, and sadly one of them died," Mr Clarke said.
Inspector Webber warned beachgoers about the dangers of walking on rocks at the beach.
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