Ocean rescues in WA’s South West spark requires change to swimming classes mannequin

A string of marine rescues off Western Australia’s South West coast has sparked calls to refocus youngsters’s swimming classes on survival abilities, fairly than good method.

Experts say the unbelievable rescue of the Appelbee household was a reminder of the hazards posed by the area’s seashores and the significance of swimming abilities.

Jodi Herbert’s 13-year outdated son Max was swept out to sea in January at Hamelin Bay, 310 kilometres south of Perth, and compelled to tread water as he drifted 800 metres off the seaside at Cosy Corner.

“He just didn’t realise the dangers and he’s been caught in a rip … he was out in the water for two hours,” Ms Herbert mentioned. 

She mentioned her son, who has non-verbal autism, was swept out to sea nearly as quickly as he entered the water.

But she mentioned his sturdy swimming abilities helped save his life.

“Max is alive and well and safe and on our coastline that’s not always the way that it goes,” she mentioned.

Hearing the Appelbee family’s story has struck a chord with Ms Herbert.

“Knowing how tough the seas can get and understanding what [Austin] would have been dealing with,” she mentioned.

“My coronary heart goes out to [Joanne], preserving her youngsters there and preserving them calm.”

Life-saving abilities

Royal Life Saving Australia’s 2025 Drowning Report found ocean beaches were the most common location for drownings in Western Australia.

It highlighted issues about swimmers probably missing the mandatory abilities to get out of issue in open water.

South West swim instructor Charlotte O’Beirne said she would like to see more focus on survival skills rather than technique.

“When you introduce the ocean into it, it is an entire subsequent degree,” she mentioned.

Austin Appelbee failed his VacSwim assessment just weeks before making his heroic 4km swim into shore last Friday.

Ms O’Beirne said while VacSwim taught basic skills, it was not necessarily a reflection of a child’s ability to survive in the water.

“The final factor is can the child swim, can the child preserve going?” she mentioned.

“This child is clearly a a lot better swimmer than maybe his teacher gave him credit score for.”

The Department of Education wouldn’t affirm if Austin’s latest VacSwim grade can be reconsidered.

Survival in ‘difficult’ situations

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jonathan How said Friday’s conditions were par for the course in the South West over summer.

“You see stronger winds the additional south you go, significantly down close to the capes,” he mentioned.

“Once you recover from the sleek ocean, away from land, wind speeds sometimes improve.

“It would have been challenging out there and very, very windy.”