By Paulina Vidal and Danuta Kozaki, ABC News
More than 20 swimmers caught in a flash rip at a beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs were rescued after athletes taking part in a competition at the beach swung into action.
On Sunday afternoon, races in the Ironmen and Ironwomen series were drawing to a close at Maroubra Beach when competitors spotted the group struggling in the water about 100 metres offshore.
Vision of the incident shows a dramatic scene as multiple athletes on surfboards reach out to the swimmers.
Among the first to provide assistance was Ironwoman champion Lana Rogers, who saw "20 to 30 people" in trouble.
According to the competition organisers, the group included tourists and children.
"The water was moving very quickly and the rip just took them out to sea," Rogers said.
"Lucky all of us were here still. About 20 athletes just raced to save the day."
Photo: Supplied / Surf Lifesaving
The rescuers, which included surf life savers and coaches, managed to safely get the swimmers on inflatable rescue boats and back to the shore.
Local surf lifesavers treated the group and no major injuries have been reported.
Rogers warned the incident showed how quickly conditions can change.
"Classic Maroubra beach, the water is moving quickly and I think people go in swimming thinking they'll stay in one place and they're not," she said.
Surf Life Saving Australia's sport manager, Wayne Druery, said if surf lifesavers cannot see you they cannot save you.
Meanwhile, in the state's Northern Rivers region, the search continues for a teenage boy who failed to resurface after reportedly jumping into a watering hole.
Late tonight, NSW Police confirmed they were waiting for police divers.
At about 3pm, emergency services attended the Green Pool at Angourie, 5 kilometres south of Yamba after reports of the missing 16-year-old.
The pool is in a reserve that is also home to the Blue Pool, which was once a rock quarry until it was disturbed by an underground freshwater spring.
On Saturday evening, four people were taken to hospital after being caught in a rip at Bronte Beach. All were in a stable condition.
The group was dragged out to sea just after lifesavers were ending their shift.
This story was originally published by the ABC.
