Cliff-jumping teens at Kiama Blowhole 'put lives at risk'

The trio amassed a large crowd of onlookers at the popular tourist site as they jumped off the rocky cliff into the water.

In the footage, which one of the Sydney teens said they supplied to Seven News for payment, shows the trio jumping off as water blasts through the blowhole.

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They also filmed themselves with GoPros doing backflips off the 30-metre high cliff.

A member of the public reportedly called emergency services as they feared one of the teens had not resurfaced from the water.

However, the rescue effort was called off when all the jumpers were accounted for.

Seven News reported the teens apologised after they triggered a large search rescue operation, at the expense of taxpayers, but said they were not daredevils but rather created the videos for "art".

The blowhole is a known dangerous location, with rips, undercurrents, and rocks underneath the surface, which makes rescue operations particularly difficult.

Surf Life Saving NSW South Coast president Steve Jones said the dangerous stunt sparked an emergency response from volunteer lifesavers, ambulance, police and included two helicopters and jet boats.

"The teens were absolutely foolish and were a danger to themselves and endangered the lives of emergency services who were trying to find someone who was allegedly missing," he said.

"The blowhole is a dangerous location for swimmers, fisherman or anyone who goes near the entrance. It does not matter what the conditions are on the day.

"I am disappointed these young men did what they did. There are always risks when in the ocean.

"The boys have come to an unfamiliar place and have not properly assessed the risks."

Mr Jones said despite the cost of the rescue to Surf Life Saving South Coast clubs, the members were trained and will always try to save people.

"Our members are trained for emergencies and are prepared to go out so the dollar amount does not come into play when we are trying to save people," he said.

"But everything has a cost."

Kiama MP Gareth Ward said there was a "reason why there was a viewing platform not a jumping platform" at the site.

"I never want to dissuade kids from having a good time but this event was in front of other people, which could spark copycats and launched a emergency service operation, with a helicopter at a cost to taxpayers," he said.

"The kids potentially risk lifelong and debilitating injuries and risked the lives of emergency service personnel.

"There is a reason why there is barrier at the site."

Mr Ward said he did not want to see tourist areas barricaded off and encouraged people to come to the South Coast to enjoy themselves but did not want them to endanger their lives.

"I don't consider what the teens did as art, and I think most of the general public would feel the same," he said.

"Kids need to behave appropriately and safely. They needed to exercise good, old-fashioned common sense.

"That was not an appropriate way to have fun."

The Mercury contacted one of the teens involved, Tristan Hodder, who asked for payment in exchange for the footage.

The Mercury declined to pay for the content or interview given that is not usual practice, the expensive operation their actions sparked and the dangerous nature of the stunt.

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