Braith, Max, George, Harrison, Alex, and Zach rescued this family and two other girls from a flash rip tide – Supplied by Kiama SLSC.
Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety.
Seven Swimmers Owe Their Lives to Australian Teens on Boogie Boards–2 Rescues in One Week
Unrelated teenage surfers rescued swimmers from drowning off the south coast of Australia on two separate occasions last week, proving that while the stereotype of young surfers is one of laxness, it isn’t all a bad thing.
It was November 18th when six friends aged between 12 and 15 were boogie boarding on Kiama Beach in the Australian state of New South Wales. Just 20 minutes after rescue personnel finished their shift and went home for the day, they became aware via screaming that 6 people had been swept hundreds of meters out to sea in a rip current.
A mom with her three young daughters and two young women were all caught in the violent water, leaving buddies Max Laird, Braith Davidson, George Griffin, Harrison Smee, Alex Norris, and Zach Marsden as the only entity on the beach able to affect a rescue.
Luckily, these strapping young lads are all members of the Kiama Surf Life Saving Club, and Harrison, the oldest of the crew at 15, led them back to dry land on their boards to save some lives.
George described the event as “shocking” but told ABC News Australia that “we just had to do what we could.”
“I got to an 8, 9-year-old kid called Matt, and by the time I got to him, he was completely underwater, just his hand above the surface of the water, so I was pretty worried,” said George.
Harrison, George, and their comrades rescued all 6 girls, just nights after another group of surfers on another beach rescued another person—this time a distressed teenage boy swimming alone after safety patrol hours.
This rescue, which took place on Jones Beach about 2 miles north of Kiama Beach, was carried out by high schoolers Lucas Mak, George Kalajzich, and Dax Cairncross, who used a surfboard to reach the drowning fellow who had also been caught in a “rip” as they call it Down Under.
“We met the guy out in the rip and started paddling back to the shore slowly. He couldn’t really walk, so his mates picked him up,” Lucas said.
A spokesman for the Surf Life Saving Club said that the rescues were a testament to the awareness, bravery, and focus that can be shown even by young people when given the proper training, as the youngest rescuer was 12 years old.
The good news here is that the stereotyped behavior of teens is just that, a stereotype. Today’s JohnKu talks about stereotypes. I hope you have a great weekend.
Generalizations by John W. Howell ©2023
You have heard about,
Those people who you don’t like . . .
Do amazing things.
Fiction Favorites 
That’s awesome. Riptides are scary though. It’s like ocean is a hungry predator.
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You are right. Riptides are the conduits.
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Such good news! Such very good news! Not only for the lives saved but the remarkable selflessness of these young people. ❤
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I agree, Annette. Thanks.
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Dear John,
that was really brave. Well done 👍 👍
Teenager are much better than their reputation.
Wishing you a happy weekend
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you F4oC. I think there is more good that we realize. 😊
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We agree.
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😁
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It’s always interesting to see who steps up when needed. These kids answered the call. Unlike the news folks, I don’t think it’s shocking. I think most young people are better that we give them credit for being. I am optimistic about our future and these kids make me more confident in that feeling.
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An excellent comment, Dan. I agree with you.
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It is definitely a mistake to lump all teenagers into the same group. As this wonderful story attests.
Perfect JohnKu for this Friday after Thanksgiving.
Have a wonderful day!
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You as well, Dale. Thank you.
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Thank you. 😊
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That’s what you get when the children are raised properly. IMO They have a lot to be proud of!!
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I agree, GP. Behind every fabulous kid is an equally fabulous parent.
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I loved this story, John! I’m happy these brave young men were recognized.
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They certainly earned the recognition. Thanks, Jill
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Bravo to each of these heroes! It restores your faith in humanity in general, and particularly for our young folks, when you read something like this. Thank you for sharing, John. Just looking at those three young men makes me happy, both for the folks they saved, and for them. May they continue to shine throughout their lives!
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I agree, Marcia. Thank you.
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Hi John, I am surprised people are so ignorant about the ocean. These articles are very encouraging about young people.
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When I lived on shore of the Gulf of Mexico was dumbfounded by so many people caught in a rip tide. It is so easy to swim out of if you keep your head.
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Amazing.
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🙄
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I should have explained. What I mean is that I’m amazed people don’t find out about these sorts of things before swimming in the ocean. We have deaths here too and it is so avoidable if people just investigated. It’s sad 😞
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I agree,
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Brave young men being in the right place at the right time. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story, John!
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I thought it was a nice statement about young folks. Thanks, Teri.
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This is the kind of things the news should be reporting. All I see are people glueing themselves to streets and such. Maybe the police should just leave them where they glued themselves for a few days. Out here we had a similar story. This one involved a hiker, a cliff, and a group of Boy Scouts on a river canoeing adventure.
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There were some protesters at the Macy’s parade. I agree on letting the ones glued to the sidewalk or street stay there.
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It would be awesome. They did this to themselves.
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That’s great news, John! Definitely not your typical teens.
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Yup. Thanks, Joan.
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Wonderful, John, and your Johnku is sure truthful.
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Thank you, Tim. 😁
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Riptides can be scary. One of the first things we learned about when I swam in the ocean was how to survive one. My brother rescued his daughter from one, but wrecked his shoulder pulling her in. Kudos to the rescuers, and yes, we sorely underestimate the ability of teens to do good things. We shouldn’t be surprised but they deserve a lot of praise.
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I agree, Noelle. Thanks for the comment. Sorry about your brother’s shoulder.
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He recovered. Luckily he had the same training I had – go with the rip tide flow and gradually angle back into shore.
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Riptides are so dangerous. Thank goodness these teens brought the people safely to shore. Your poem is on target, John. 😊
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Thank you Gwen. Those that know how to deal with rip tides can help those who don’t. 😊
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This is so amazing, quite a feat for these young folks. We have some wonderful young people in our world. Maybe there’s hope.
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Thank you, Holly It is so nice.
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I think our future is in good hands.
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Fabulous choice to share, John. They’re so young to keep clear-calm heads in that situation. Hugs.
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Braving a riptide to rescue people takes bravery and skill! Bravo, boys!!
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Teenagers are brave, even when things seem reckless or dangerous. Thank goodness for their rescue!
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I agree. 😁
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Well done! I love water, but only for drinking purposes. There also not too much. Such boards are good for decorating walls, but i never would use them actively. The BMI restricts too. LoL xx Michael
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I used to Boogie board when I lived on the Gulf of Mexico. So much fun.
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Further proof that yes, the kids are alright.
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I agree.
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What a great story that gave me goosebumps, John. And it proves that it’s not fair to generalize in any case. Thanks for sharing, and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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Yes it was great. Thanks, Lauren.
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You’re welcome, and by the way, I have Contract and look forward to reading it. I love thrillers, so the story sounds intriguing. 🙂
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I hope you like it, Lauren.
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A wonderful good news day here on your blog, John.
This is a fab post to follow up Twiggy’s happy Thanksgiving wishes.
I have to think what a great job these kids parents and community are doing raising these future adults.
Kudos to all, and to your John Ku(dos)!
🛟🏄♀️ 🛟🏄♂️ 🛟🏄♀️ 🛟🏄♂️
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Thank you, Resa. These kids have great parents. Your emojis are so cute
🛟🏄♀️ 🛟🏄♂️ 🛟🏄♀️ 🛟🏄♂️
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So are you!
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No, you are.
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We are!!!
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There you go. A perfect solution
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Great news, dear John. It gives a hope for a better world to come. 😊🍤🍤🍤🍻
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That’s amazing. And Wow, Australia is a dangerous place to swim. I keep hearing stories like this.
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Yes, their rip tides are very bad.
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As though it’s not enough that half the animals there are trying to kill you! 😛
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And that’s just the people.
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Lol!!!!
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😁
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