State MP for Rockdale Steve Kamper and his wife Magda say they owe their lives to surf lifesavers and council lifeguards, who rescued more than 40 swimmers when a sandbank collapsed at North Cronulla beach.
"We were surfing between the flags in waist deep water when suddenly we couldn't stand up any longer," Mr Kamper said.
"Before we knew it, we had been pulled out about 150 metres.
"No exaggeration, at least half a dozen swimmers, including Magda and I, were gone if these amazing people hadn't turned up when they did."
The couple returned to the beach on Thursday to personally thank volunteers from North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and council lifeguards.
An emotional Ms Kamper hugged patrol captain Will Budd, who paddled out on a board to save them.
The couple clung to the board until an IRB (inflatable rescue boat) and jet ski arrived.
"I probably picked up five to six people - all the boys on boards did the same," Will said.
Twenty-four lifesavers and six lifeguards were involved in the mass rescue, which started at 1.55pm on Sunday.
While the operation took just 15 minutes, the Kampers said it felt like it was much longer "because we got into trouble so quickly".
Two lifeguards in the observation tower saw swimmers were starting to get pulled out and notified lifesavers on the beach, who paddled out on boards.
Urgent calls were also made to Elouera beach, where a surfboat competition was suspended so lifesavers and lifeguards in IRBs and jet skis could assist at North Cronulla.
Mr Kamper said he and his wife could never thank rescuers adequately.
"I have surfed here since I was a boy, and I have never experienced anything like this before," he said.
"I was holding on to Magda and trying to keep her calm while trying not to panic myself.
"All the things you learn about keeping calm and trying to float on your back tend to go out the window when something like this happens.
"The rescue operation was flawless - obviously decisions were made quickly and they were the right decisions".
Mrs Kamper said she became concerned when the sand disappeared beneath her feet.
"The water was really turbulent around us - we couldn't see anyone coming for us," she said.
"The fact everyone just swooped in they way they did was amazing."
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