Surf Life Saving NZ lifeguards. Photo: Kim Baker Wilson.

The man made the wise decision to return to shore, where another bystander grabbed a surfboard and his children’s lifejackets before paddling out to the woman.

“He put a lifejacket on her and stayed with her until help arrived, which was just awesome,” Gibbons-Campbell said.

The rescue unfolded about 500 metres offshore as the tide was heading out. The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was placed on standby because of the distance involved.

Lifeguards from the Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club launched their inflatable rescue boat (IRB) and reached the pair after being guided from the beach by lifegu