Off duty, but never off-guard: Five lives saved by volunteer surf lifesavers

It was a freezing Sunday morning at Christies Beach, SA. 

July 20^th, the middle of winter and well outside patrol season. Members of the Christies Beach SLSC had just finished their ‘Polar Bear’ swim, an icy dip in the 14-degree ocean, and were up at the clubhouse when a member of the public ran in with alarming news. 

“A boat had overturned at the southern end of the reef, and there were people in distress in the water,” recalled volunteer surf lifesaver, Richard Nurmi. “They were about 300 metres offshore hanging onto the boat.” 

Suddenly, the calm of the morning was shattered. And everything changed in an instant.  

Richard and fellow veteran volunteer surf lifesaver, Hubert (Huee), didn’t hesitate. Off duty, but always ready, they pulled their wet gear back on, launched the Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB), and powered into choppy, freezing swell. Back on shore, fellow volunteers Kerri-Lee, Llewelyn and Stella provided critical support. 

When they reached the capsized boat, the danger was stark: four people hanging off the hull – nobody able to swim. Nobody wearing a life jacket. 

“Their reaction when they saw us - it was a look of relief,” Richard said. “From when they tipped over, to when we were alerted and got there, it probably would have been 20 minutes. They were in cold water, and they were all wearing big puffer jackets that were weighing them down. 

“One guy was really struggling, coughing and spluttering, so we grabbed him first. We were about to take him back in, when I said to Huee, ‘what's that over there? There's a big dark patch!’ 

It was another man, face down, six inches underwater, drifting away. He was moments from disappearing beneath the swell, terrifyingly close to drowning. 

“It was a real effort to get him in the boat because he had this big jacket on,” Richard recalled of the fight to save the man. “But we finally got him into the IRB.” 

Back at the boat ramp, volunteers and paramedics rushed to help lift the two men out of the IRB and administer lifesaving medical treatment. Meanwhile, Richard and Huee relaunched the IRB repeatedly until every person was brought safely to shore. 

“Everyone did the job they needed,” Richard said. “And that's the great thing about surf lifesaving training. It becomes second nature, and everyone comes together with one mission. 

“We do a lot of scenario training. It's not the first time I've had to rescue someone, and Huee’s got 40 years’ experience. The others talked with the guys and comforted them. They looked out for the public and made sure the paramedics had help, they got blankets,” Richard said of the incredible team effort and care of all the off-duty volunteer surf lifesavers that day. 

This rescue, a terrifying moment where lives hung in the balance, was only possible because trained volunteer surf lifesavers were ready and willing to act, even outside of their patrol season, and because the vital rescue equipment they needed was on hand. 

And for a small club like Christies Beach, that level of readiness depends heavily on community support and the generosity of donors like you. 

Your donation helped make this rescue possible 

“We had the IRB, life jackets, radios, first aid and medical equipment, all there when we needed it,” Richard said. “Fundraising really does make an impact so we can operate and perform rescues like this.” 

Your donation this Red & Yellow Day Appeal, helps ensure our heroes, like Richard and the crew from Christies Beach SLSC, have the equipment and training they need to save precious lives. 

A powerful reason to give. And your support goes further than this. 

Volunteer surf lifesavers give countless hours of their own time to serve their community. They miss family events, rearrange their schedules, and give up their weekends and public holidays. Even when not on duty, they’re selflessly ready to respond. Because they believe every life is worth protecting. 

“For the last 25 years since joining Christies Beach SLSC, there’s only been two seasons where I haven't done 100 patrol hours,” Richard said proudly. 

When volunteer surf lifesavers give so much of themselves, your donation also becomes a powerful way to stand beside them. It’s a way of saying: “Your time, your commitment, your sacrifice - it doesn’t go unnoticed. And you don’t stand alone.” 

Please donate to Surf Life Saving today. Your gift ensures that when the call comes, our heroes in red and yellow are supported, empowered, and always ready to respond.