A Wilderness Beach rescue on Tuesday night turned a calm summer shoreline into a full-scale emergency after two swimmers got into trouble at Leentjiesklip, near Wilderness. National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Wilderness crews were activated at 19h37 after reports of a drowning in progress.

Two Swimmers in Trouble at Leentjiesklip

Eyewitnesses reported two men were in distress in the surf. One swimmer appeared to be trying to reach nearby rocks, while the other was caught in rip currents and pushed further out to sea.

Emergency teams responded, including NSRI, George Fire and Rescue Services, South African Police Service members and ER24 ambulance services.

Surfer Paddles Out as Conditions Worsen

A local surfer, identified as Cade Harris, reportedly saw the swimmers struggling and launched on his surfboard to help. By the time rescuers arrived, one swimmer, a 26-year-old local man, had made it to the rocks and reached shore without injury.

Harris then reached the second swimmer, a 29-year-old man from Upington, who was described as exhausted, barely conscious and slipping under the water. Despite heavy swells and rough shore-break waves, Harris managed to get him onto the board and keep him afloat.

NSRI Teams Get the Man Safely to Shore

NSRI rescue swimmers, assisted by a former lifeguard carrying an NSRI pink rescue buoy, joined Harris in the water. Working together, they guided the man to a sandbank and then onto the beach, where medics began treating him for serious non-fatal drowning symptoms.

Metro EMS, Western Cape Government Health EMS and ER24 later treated the man on scene before transporting him to hospital in a serious but stable condition. He was discharged early on Wednesday morning.

The Wilderness Beach rescue has since sparked fresh praise for quick action on the coast, with Harris and responding teams credited for helping prevent a tragedy.