What started as a relaxing family outing on inflatable paddleboards and a kayak near Quindalup in Western Australia’s South West turned into a life-or-death ordeal when strong winds and deteriorating conditions swept the Appelbee family far out to sea.

On Friday, January 30, 2026, Joanne Appelbee, 47, was enjoying the water with her children: 13-year-old Austin, 12-year-old Beau, and 8-year-old Grace. The family, from Perth, had hired the equipment for a beach holiday about 250 kilometres south of the city in Geographe Bay.

Disaster struck around midday. Austin lost an oar, then Joanne’s board flipped while helping him. Beau tried to assist, but Joanne’s oar was also lost, leaving them drifting helplessly. The kayak began taking on water, waves grew stronger, and they were “dragged out a bit too far.”

nbcnews.com

13-year-old swims for hours to save family swept out to sea

“One of the hardest decisions I ever had to make was to say to Austin ‘try and get to shore, get some help, this could get really serious really quickly’,” Joanne recalled. She tied everyone together with Beau and Grace on one paddleboard to balance weight, but paddling only pushed them further out as winds intensified.

Austin set off in the leaking kayak but soon ditched it as it sank. “Really scared” yet determined, he removed his life jacket—it was slowing him down—and swam alone through massive waves in shark-frequented waters. “I just kept thinking ‘just keep swimming, just keep swimming’… Not today, not today,” he said. The grueling four-hour swim covered about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles).

Reaching shore exhausted, Austin collapsed, then ran another 2 kilometres to retrieve a phone and raise the alarm. Overwhelmed by guilt, he feared the worst: “I thought they were dead… I thought oh man, I wasn’t fast enough.”

paddlingmag.com

13-Year-Old Swims 4 Hours To Rescue Family After Kayak Accident (Video)

A massive multi-agency search— involving police, AMSA, and volunteers—was launched. As night fell, Joanne’s hope faded. “There’s no one coming to save us. This is us,” she thought. They were cold, shaking; Beau couldn’t feel his legs. Waves bowled them over, but they stayed positive, helping each other back onto the boards and even joking at times. Exhaustion crept in as darkness brought bigger, surprising swells.

After more than eight hours—some reports say up to 10—the family was spotted clinging to a paddleboard about 14 kilometres offshore just before 8:30 pm. A rescue helicopter and boats plucked them to safety. All were cold and exhausted but unharmed.

theguardian.com

An ‘amazing feat’: how was 13-year-old Austin Appelbee able to …

Police hailed Austin’s effort as “superhuman,” praising his determination and courage that saved his mother and siblings. Joanne remains speechless with pride: “There’s no bigger word to describe [Austin] other than proud… He’s absolutely amazing.” She knew he had the strength but doubted anyone would come as time dragged on.

Austin, humble, insists he just did what needed doing. “I don’t think I am a hero – I just did what I did,” he told the BBC. The ordeal highlights the ocean’s dangers, even on calm days, and the extraordinary resilience of a teenage boy who refused to give up.

paddlingmag.com

13-Year-Old Swims 4 Hours To Rescue Family After Kayak Accident (Video)

The Appelbee family now reflects on their miracle survival, grateful for second chances and the unbreakable bond that pulled them through.