A lifeguard patrols North Steyne beach as beaches are closed after recent shark attacks in Sydney, Australia. File Image/Reuters
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Firstpost03-02-2026, 13:00

Australian Teen Swims 4km Through Shark-Infested Waters to Save Family

  • A 13-year-old Australian boy swam four kilometers through rough, shark-infested waters to raise an alarm for his mother and two siblings.
  • The family's paddleboarding and kayaking trip at Geographe Bay, Australia, went awry due to strong winds, drifting them offshore.
  • The boy initially tried to paddle back on his kayak, but it took on water, forcing him to abandon it and swim for two hours with a life jacket, then two hours without.
  • He reached shore, sprinted 2km to find a phone, and alerted authorities, leading to a massive search and rescue operation.
  • His mother and siblings were found clinging to a paddleboard 14 kilometers offshore by a rescue helicopter and were safely returned to shore.

Why It Matters: A 13-year-old's heroic 4km swim in shark-infested waters saved his family after they drifted offshore.

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