A mystery man has leapt off the rocks at South Curl Curl and into life-threatening surf to help save the life of an exhausted stand-up paddle-boarder.
At approximately 8:10am this (Monday) morning, as big swell battered the rocks of a notorious section just south of Curly pool, the man took off his "work or going out" shirt and dressed only in jeans and belt leapt into the water to help South Curly's Dave Alldis perform the rescue.
Alldis had been swimming with his kids at the pool when the SUP rider drifted exhausted around the point.
South Curly's Rob Lowery, who with son Zac was on the spot in a rescue boat ten minutes after receiving the emergency text message, says Aldis was trying to drag the man up the rock shelf.
"The man had come off his board and had no energy to assist," says Lowery.
More help arrived in the form of Kevin Moffat on a surf rescue board. Alldis couldn't get the exhausted swimmer up the rock shelf so decided to use Moffat's board.
Then "out of nowhere" the mysterious man in jeans leapt into the surf and helped save the man.
To purchase a print of this and other images beaches on the Peninsula, check out Gusha Visualmedia
"Normally you think, well, now I've got two problems to deal with," says Alldis. "But this bloke was extremely capable and clearly comfortable in the swell.
"He got the patient back onto the SUP and stayed with him until we got there."
A jetski arrived soon after and the patient was secured and taken towards a waiting ambulance at Freshwater.
The unknown assistant, meanwhile, secured the battered SUP and paddled it back to South Curl Curl.
According to one eye witness, the man stood up on the SUP, rode a wave into the beach - in his jeans - deposited the craft with local lifesavers, shook a few hands, and left with a woman.
Lowery says given the rough conditions, it's clear Alldis and the unknown man in jeans saved a life.
"Neither the jet ski or the duck [rescue boat] could have got up against the rock shelf in the battering swell to secure this bloke who was pretty buggered.
"It took a swimmer and a paddle-boarder, both obvious watermen, to coordinate this successful outcome."
Lowery describes the man as aged mid-to-late 20s with brown hair, and a slim and fit build.
"He's definitely a surfer," says Lowery. "His confidence off the rocks and the way he paddled the dude's board back against the rip showed that."
Alldis, who's been at South Curl Curl 30 years, said he'd never seen the man before. He too is sure the man is a surfer though given his attire isn't sure if the man was going to work or getting home.
"We need to find out his name," says Lowery. "He saved a life today."
Anyone with information about our Hero in Jeans, contact Tribune Editor Matt Cleary sports@northernbeachessportstribune.com.au
Join the cricket network to promote your business and expertise. Make it easy for people to search and find the people and services they need through people they know and trust.
Join the network
