The incident occurred about 6.40pm at Stanwell Park Beach, which had closed for the day. 

Four people were involved in the rescue, as two teenage boardriders reportedly heard cries for help. 

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According to Surf Life Saving Illawarra duty officer Anthony Turner‎, the father and son team of Steven and Lachlan McDonald raced along the unpatrolled beach with a Nipper board to provide assistance to two males caught in a strong rip current some 50 metres off-shore.

The two off-duty lifesavers had been training on the same beach, reportedly about 80 to 100 metres from the incident, and had the Nippers board with them. 

Steven is the president of the Helensburgh-Stanwell Park surf club. 

“With the males requiring immediate assistance in the water, two local teenage surfers paddled to the stricken swimmers to keep them afloat until lifesavers arrived,” Mr Turner said. 

“The team of rescuers provided reassurance to the two males before returning them to shore safely.

“All four brought them back to shore.

“The males were checked over by off-duty lifesavers back on the beach. Both (were) exhausted, but required no further assistance.”

The men rescued are believed to have been part of a group who were visiting the area, and in their early twenties. 

“While on the beach both males stated to the lifesavers that they couldn’t believe the power of the ocean that pulled them out to sea so quickly, and (had) only been in the surf for five minutes,” Mr Turner said. 

“Well done to the quick actions of local teenager surfers and lifesavers that prevented a possible tragedy tonight,” he said. 

“It was a tremendous effort.”

Mr Turner said the incident highlighted the importance of only swimming at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags.

Mr Turner also said the incident was a timely reminder to read the safety signage, and to “know your limitations and abilities at all times in and around the water".