Thirteen-year-old Austin Appelbee from Quindalup, Western Australia swam nearly four hours through rough ocean waters after his family’s kayak and paddleboards were swept far from shore. Battling massive waves and exhaustion, Austin pushed through almost 2.5 miles (4 km) of open sea, determined to get help and save his mother, 12-year-old brother, and 8-year-old sister.
His mother, Joanne, later said that sending him back toward shore was one of the hardest decisions she’s ever had to make, knowing how far and how dangerous the conditions were.
After reaching land, Austin ran about 1.2 miles (2 km) to call emergency services, then collapsed from exhaustion.
Rescuers later found his mom and two younger siblings clinging to a paddleboard—cold and worn but alive. Austin humbly said, “I don’t think it was me who did it. It was God the whole time.” His courage and determination are an inspiration!
