NYE Rescue - 31 December 2025

New Year’s Eve at Avoca Beach was a challenging day, with large surf conditions resulting in multiple rescues carried out by Council lifeguards while on duty. As conditions deteriorated further, the beach was closed for the final hour as swimming became too dangerous.

Despite this, many members of the Avoca Beach community gathered on the grass along the Point to watch the powerful surf roll in as the year came to a close.

At approximately 6:40pm, members of Avoca Beach Surf Club witnessed a person being pulled from the surf. They immediately recognised the seriousness of the situation and raced back to the club to alert senior members and parents that a person had been brought from the water and appeared unconscious.

Club members responded without hesitation, arriving with vital first-aid and medical equipment and along with another member already on scene and the support from an off-duty medical professional, commenced CPR. Thanks to the training and medical knowledge of our members, early defibrillation was administered. CPR continued while the defibrillator was in use, which very likely saved the man’s life

After several shocks and continuous CPR, the patient regained his heartbeat and soon after regained breathing. Ambulance NSW then arrived, along with medical professionals who are also members of our club. The patient was carefully transferred to a waiting ambulance and transported to a nearby sports field, where the Westpac Rescue Helicopter had just landed.

Once stabilised, the patient was airlifted to hospital in a very serious condition.

We are incredibly proud of all members of Avoca Beach Surf Club - from the young SRC holders who first raised the alarm, to the senior members who responded with speed, professionalism and calm under pressure. Our footage shows it took just three minutes from the time the man was pulled from the water to the arrival of vital medical equipment.

A huge thank you also to the members of the public who assisted. This was a true community effort. Without everyone working together, this man would not have made it off the beach alive.

UPDATE:

We are pleased to share that the patient, Clinton, is now home with his family on the coast after some time in hospital and some major procedures. Clinton and his family are extremely grateful for the response are looking to visit the club over the coming weeks to meet a few of the people who saved his life and thank them. A sincere thank you to everyone involved. Your swift actions directly contributed to saving his life, and you should be immensely proud of your efforts.