Five male tourists aged in their 20s required assistance at 3.30pm, with several trying to help their friends on boogie boards as they were pulled further out to sea.

A Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club member on a roving patrol contacted the rescue tower by radio after spotting the tourists in the water, between 50 and 100 metres from the shore.

Patrol captain Phoebe Webb initiated a quick response, with six surf lifesavers bringing the swimmers to safety in five to 10 minutes, according to vice captain Paul Clancey. A swimmer with a rescue tube, two rescue board paddlers and the inflatable rescue craft were deployed in the response.

Mr Clancey said the inexperienced swimmers were unfamiliar with ocean conditions.

“They probably weren’t aware of the dangers in the ocean at the time and they were outside of the safest part of the beach,” Mr Clancey said.

“They were caught out and they definitely had no ego when we got to them. 

“They were just thankful we were able to get there and we were lucky we had enough members in close proximity to respond.

“They were certainly in trouble.”

Mr Clancey said it was fortunate the roving patrol was in the right place at the right time.

“If our members hadn’t been there it could have been a bad scenario.

“We send out a roving patrol to different areas, so we could have been around at the Pavilion or Worm Bay and missed these guys, because you can’t cover the whole beach thoroughly all the time.

“That’s why we recommend people swim in the safest part of the beach between the flags.

“I’m happy that my members patrolling responded so well and that they were vigilant and responded to the situation straight away.

“I’m really proud of the way they carried themselves yesterday.”

He said the incident showed how swimming conditions could quickly change at the beach.

“They said it happened really quickly. One minute they were standing in shallow water, the next minute they couldn’t look after themselves.

“If there’s a big swell running and it’s a warm day, that increases the number of people in water and potential for people getting into trouble. People need to be aware of changing conditions in the ocean. It can be flat one day, and big and rough the next.”

The Warrnambool rescue followed a warning from Life Saving Victoria, which urged swimmers to be extra vigilant around water, particularly when visiting open waterways, supervising children or drinking alcohol this Australia Day long weekend. 

To find your nearest patrolled beach visit www.beachsafe.org.au or download the app for your smartphone.