Renee’s ‘Verry Brave’ Lifesavers

“I was trying to swim back and I couldn’t get back in; I was being taken out so fast. It was really scary. I couldn’t see Michael and Chelsea. I thought they had drowned.”– Renee, 8 years

Renee’s vivid recollection of what happened to her and her brother and sister  might make you shudder to think about, but consider how lucky she is to be  remembering anything at all.

Holidaying from Melbourne on a scorching Queensland summer’s day on
Sunday 7 January at Surfer’s Paradise, the three Cottonaro children– Renee,
and 9 year olds Chelsea and Matthew – raced to the ocean the moment they arrived at the beach with their family.

Renee, Chelsea and Matthew are active nippers with the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club and live opposite the beach in Melbourne, so are experienced swimmers for their ages. The eager children had only been in the water for a few minutes when the strong surf conditions suddenly and unexpectedly turned dangerous.

A flash rip formed just outside the flagged area and dragged the three siblings out to sea, leaving their parents watching helplessly from shore. In seconds, the patrolling lifesavers on duty spotted the children, assessed the situation and with swift action brought the children back to the arms of their parents. The Cottonaro children donated their pocket money to Surf Life Saving and sent a hand made thank you letter to the team that saved their lives.

Click here to read more Rescue Stories.

Click here to tell us your rescue story.