Former lifesaver Josh Roden was coming in from a surf at the southern end of Spoon Bay on June 8 when he spotted a swimmer in trouble at the northern end.
As a Bateau Bay local who grew up at Wamberal, the surfer knew the northern end could be tricky, so he grabbed a nearby rescue tube and ran.
“I actually didn’t realise the tube was there, a young boy grabbed it first,” Roden said.
“The northern corner is all rock, there is no sand and the swimmer was getting further out. Somebody was calling out for help.
“I saw him trying to swim, but he was stuck in a rip and waves were washing over him.”
Unbeknown to Roden, the swimmer was former Liberal Party deputy Leader Bruce Baird, father of former Premier Mike Baird and journalist and author Julia Baird.
The 82-year-old was swimming with his daughter and another son – all considered strong ocean swimmers – when all three got into trouble at the notorious swim spot.
While brother and sister had managed to scramble to safety, their father was being dragged further out to sea.
“The others were on the rocks, but he kept getting washed over with the waves,” Roden said.
“He was exhausted, and the rip was taking him further out.”
Roden jumped in with the rescue tube and managed to reach the swimmer.
“There is no sand to stand and we were washed onto the rocks, he was getting tossed about and cut up and he couldn’t stand.
“His family, who were already on the rocks were freaking out.”
The former surf lifesaver said he had performed a few rescues in his time, but that one was “scary”.
Roden said the family was very thankful and grateful for his help.
Surf Life Saving Central Coast had only just installed 35 rescue tube boxes at high-risk locations across the Central Coast and fortunately for Baird, Spoon Bay was one of those locations.
The Remote Area Rescue Tube rollout was implemented with $20,000 funding from Central Coast Council.
SLSCC CEO Michael Hyslop said the fact the rescue tube helped save a life was “brilliant”.
“They are worth every dollar spent, a hundred per cent,” Hyslop said.
“It’s the first reported use of one and it helped to save a life.
“We were hopeful we would hear a positive story about the use of one.”
Following the harrowing event, Julia Baird said she was shocked by the lack of information available for tourists about the risks associated with that beach while Wamberal Surf Life Saving Club praised Roden’s quick thinking on their Instagram page.
“We all know how dangerous our local beaches can be, Wamberal and Spoon Bay,” the post read.
“Josh Roden the legend risked it all to rescue an 82-year-old in a very bad rip at Spoon Bay.
“Well done mate. You’re a hero.”
Denice Barnes
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