How a young surfer saved injured teen at The Farm

Josh Marsh noticed a 16-year-old boy was in trouble at Killalea Beach, better known as The Farm, while he was out for a surf on Wednesday afternoon.

Without thinking, he grabbed his board and paddled out to the boy who had been hit in the head with a surfboard while swimming with friends.

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"I saw him struggling to swim and he was without a board," the 12-year-old said.

"I was not scared. I just wanted to help him make it to shore so he was alright.

"He was about 10 to 15 metres out and I asked if he needed help.

"He was awake and conscious but was dazed and confused.

"I got him onto the board on the side and I kicked and the waves helped wash us in.

"My rescue training helped a lot."

Pines Surfing Academy's Vaya Phrachamh said he was proud of his student.

"Josh is so small and the boy was much larger," he said.

"He went to help someone in trouble.

"He didn't think and his instincts took over.

"Josh also kept the boy calm and reassured him so he didn't panic."

Pines Surfing Academy staff put the boy in the recovery position after they got back to shore.

Staff stayed with him until paramedics arrived to assess him.

The boy was then taken to hospital to be monitored for concussion.

He had scans and was discharged later that night.

Mr Phrachamh said he taught his students how to do rescues with the hope they didn't need to but so they had the skills if they did.

"Josh knew to use the board as a flotation device, and the best way to position him, and then kicked them in," he said.

"The boy didn't know where he was or what had happened.

"If Josh hadn't been there than the boy could have been in a lot more trouble."

Josh recently won a title at an Illawarra surfing competition.

"I enjoy being out on the water and having fun with friends," he said.