A 33-year-old woman from George was rescued by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) on Saturday after she went missing while surfing at Buffels Bay near Knysna. The alarm was raised shortly after midday when her partner and friends realised she was no longer among the surfers in the water.
The woman had been surfing with three friends since around 09:30. Conditions were ideal but challenging, with large rolling waves. When her friends returned to shore, they assumed she was still among the surfers still out. But as the remaining surfers came in, it became clear she wasn't among them.
Her partner and friends immediately began searching the shoreline before calling the NSRI. At 12:17, NSRI Knysna launched two rescue craft — the Eileen Medway and JayTee IV — and put a rescue helicopter, drone unit, and ambulance services on standby.
Rescuers had to navigate rough seas with swells between 3.5 and 4.5 metres through the Knysna Heads to reach Buffels Bay. Based on the currents and sea conditions, they believed the surfer may have drifted towards Brenton-on-Sea. They focused their search there, and their guess was right.
At 12:47 — just 30 minutes after the rescue began — NSRI crews spotted a lone surfer sitting upright on her surfboard. They reached her and brought her safely aboard. Medical treatment for hypothermia was started immediately as they headed back to the NSRI base in Knysna.
Her partner and friends were told of the successful rescue and met her at the rescue station. After assessment by paramedics, she was discharged into her partner's care with no further medical attention needed.
According to the NSRI, the surfer had become separated from her friends and unknowingly drifted further offshore and towards Brenton-on-Sea. Strong offshore currents combined with a New Moon spring tide made it impossible to paddle back. Eventually, realising she was making no progress and losing energy in the cold water, she stayed on her surfboard, conserving energy and staying calm while waiting for help.
Jerome Simonis from the NSRI commended her actions, saying staying with her surfboard significantly increased her chances of survival and made it easier for rescuers to find her. The NSRI also praised her partner, friends, fellow surfers, and bystanders for quickly raising the alarm and starting the search.
The incident is a reminder of how dangerous strong currents can be along South Africa's coastline, even when conditions look good for surfing. It also shows why it's critical to stay with flotation equipment if you're in trouble at sea.