Two paddle boarders were dramatically rescued on Christmas Day after an afternoon outing turned into a harrowing three-hour ordeal, leaving them adrift more than 10 kilometres across Port Phillip Bay before emergency crews could locate them. The incident, which forms part of a series of water rescues across Victoria on a busy holiday, highlights both the risks of water sports in rapidly changing conditions and the effectiveness of coordinated emergency response efforts.
Pleasant Outing Turns Perilous
Shortly after 3 p.m. on December 25, a 51-year-old woman and her 17-year-old stepson set out from a jetty at the Portarlington caravan park on the Bellarine Peninsula for what was meant to be a relaxed paddleboarding session on Port Phillip Bay. The boards they were using were gifts they had received that day, adding to the festive atmosphere.
But conditions on the bay quickly deteriorated. Strong south-westerly winds, gusting up to 35 knots, and choppy water made it difficult for the pair to maintain control. Before long, they found themselves drifting out to sea, far from shore and unable to paddle back against the elements.
Alarm Raised and Search Begun
Concern grew when the pair did not return as expected. Around 5 p.m., a family member raised the alarm, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation involving multiple agencies including Victoria Police, the Air Wing police helicopter, Life Saving Victoria, and the Queenscliff Volunteer Coast Guard.
The search area was expansive given the time and potential drift, but at around 6:20 p.m., two air wing officers spotted the missing pair near Wyndham Harbour, over 10 kilometres from their launch point. They were found lying on their paddleboards and waving for help, having endured hours in cold conditions without lifejackets.
Rescue and Aftermath
Water police quickly guided a vessel to the location and brought both paddle boarders safely aboard. Paramedics assessed them at the scene; while they experienced cold and exhaustion, they did not require hospital treatment. Investigators noted that staying with their boards likely played a critical role in their survival.
In a statement released through police, the woman and teenager expressed deep gratitude to emergency services, saying they were “so grateful for the outcome” and still coming to terms with how a *“beautiful, carefree afternoon turned into an almost tragedy.”
The ordeal was captured in dramatic footage released by Victoria Police, which showed the paddle boarders’ relief when spotted from the air. Authorities later underscored the importance of preparation and caution when engaging in water activities, especially on large open bodies like Port Phillip Bay where conditions can change rapidly.
Part of Multiple Holiday Water Incidents
The paddle boarders’ rescue was one of six water-related rescues coordinated by police and volunteer crews across Victoria on Christmas Day. In the Bass Coast area near Corinella, a mother and her two teenage daughters were winched to safety by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter after being swept about a kilometre offshore while attempting to retrieve a drifting kayak; all were wearing lifejackets and unharmed.
Earlier in the afternoon, a kayaker in Paynesville was found and rescued after his vessel capsized and he had been missing for nearly two hours.
Victoria Police highlighted that challenging weather conditions played a major role in these incidents, with strong winds and currents catching recreational water users off guard. The coordinated response demonstrated the capacity of police, volunteer maritime organisations, and air rescue units to work together effectively under pressure.
Warnings and Lessons for Boaters and Paddlers
Acting Senior Sergeant Michael Quirk, officer-in-charge of the Water Police, described the paddle board rescue as “one of the more challenging rescues” he has been involved in, given the dusk light, choppy swell, and broad search area. He emphasised that the pair’s lack of lifejackets significantly increased their vulnerability, noting that without their boards they “probably would not have survived.”
Emergency services in Victoria continue to advise holidaymakers and recreational water users to check conditions before heading out, wear appropriate safety gear such as lifejackets, and ensure someone on land is aware of their plans. As this Christmas Day drama showed, even familiar and seemingly calm waters can become dangerous in a matter of hours.
A Grateful Return to Shore
In the days following their rescue, the paddle boarders and their family reflected on their narrow escape with a mixture of relief and thankfulness. Their experience has spurred renewed calls from authorities for greater public awareness about marine safety, particularly as summer brings increased participation in water-based recreation.
While the summer season is often associated with sunny leisure and festive celebrations on the water, the sequence of rescues across Victoria on Christmas Day serves as a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the paramount importance of preparation, caution, and respect for the sea.
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