13-Year-Old Swims 2 Miles to Save Family After Ocean Drift in Australia

A 13-year-old boy’s extraordinary act of bravery and endurance has captivated Australia and beyond, after he swam for approximately four hours to get help for his mother and two siblings who were swept out to sea. The incident occurred off the coast of Quindalup, in Geographe Bay, Western Australia, on January 30, 2026.

According to a news release from the Western Australia Police Force’s South West District, the family was kayaking and paddle boarding when they were unexpectedly pulled into the water. As darkness began to fall, the teen, identified as Austin Applebee, made the courageous decision to attempt a swim back to shore to seek assistance.

The swim was fraught with peril. Initially paddling a short distance, Austin’s kayak took on water, forcing him to complete the remaining two nautical miles entirely by swimming. Remarkably, he ultimately abandoned both the kayak and his life jacket, finding that the life jacket hindered his ability to navigate the large waves. He chose to rely on his swimming strength, and determination.

“I didn’t think I was a hero — I just did what I did,” Austin told the BBC, displaying a remarkable level of composure given the circumstances. His mother, Joanne, described the situation as beginning as “a bit of fun” before realizing her children had drifted too far out. The wind then picked up, and the family lost their oars, quickly finding themselves at the mercy of the ocean currents.

Joanne explained to Australia’s ABC News that allowing her son to swim for help was “one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make.” The decision underscores the desperate nature of the situation and the trust placed in Austin’s abilities.

Austin’s ordeal wasn’t simply a physical challenge; it was a mental one as well. He reportedly spent the two-hour swim praying, recalling Christian songs, and focusing on “happy thoughts” to maintain his resolve. He kept his family’s safety foremost in his mind throughout the arduous journey.

Reaching shore around 6:00 p.m. Local time, Austin immediately called for help before collapsing from exhaustion. He calmly and clearly communicated the urgency of the situation, requesting “helicopters, planes, boats… my family’s out at sea,” according to ABC News.

Emergency services responded swiftly, locating Joanne and her two children, Beau, 12, and Grace, 8, approximately 14 kilometers (7.5 nautical miles) offshore around 8:30 p.m. Local time. All four family members were subsequently treated at Busselton Health Campus.

The incident highlights the dangers of coastal conditions and the importance of preparedness. While the search results do not detail specific weather conditions at the time, the fact that the family lost their oars due to wind suggests challenging seas. The area is also known to be shark-prone, adding another layer of risk to Austin’s already incredible swim, as noted by The Australian.

Austin expressed his gratitude for the rapid response of emergency services, while his mother conveyed her overwhelming relief that her family was safe. “We made it, we’re alive and that’s the most important thing,” she told ABC News.

This remarkable story of courage and selflessness serves as a testament to the strength of family bonds and the extraordinary capabilities that can emerge in times of crisis. Austin Applebee’s actions undoubtedly saved the lives of his mother and siblings, earning him widespread praise and recognition as a hero.

The incident occurred just days after a separate tragedy in the Cook Islands, where a 52-year-old New Zealand woman drowned while attempting to save her 11-year-old daughter from a strong lagoon current, as reported on Facebook by ABC Hobart. This serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of water activities and the importance of vigilance.

Elsewhere, a kayaking trip off the coast of Canada took an unexpected turn when a couple encountered a humpback whale surfacing beneath their kayaks, a moment captured on video and described as “breathtaking” by viewers. While a different type of ocean encounter, it underscores the unpredictable nature of marine environments.

On February 3, 2026, Austin Applebee was still being lauded for his bravery. The story continues to resonate, demonstrating the power of human spirit in the face of adversity.