Updated | Woman remains in hospital in 'stable' condition after dramatic surf rescue

A woman, who was unconscious when rescued from the surf between Elouera and Wanda beaches by an off-duty lifesaver, is recovering in St George Hospital.

The 22-year-old woman was treated on the beach by lifeguards and paramedics before being taken by ambulance to St George Hospital, where she was placed in the intensive care unit.

A spokeswoman for South Eastern Sydney Local Health District said on Wednesday afternoon the woman remained in hospital, but was in a stable condition and had been transferred to a ward.

Earlier

An off-duty volunteer lifesaver, who rescued two people who were close to drowning in the surf between Elouera and Wanda beaches on Sunday, says his training "just kicked in".

"I have been training and practicing for years," said Lachlan ("Lachie") Crawford, 20, a member of Wanda Surf Life Saving Club, who started out as a Nipper at North Cronulla when he was about five.

"You know what has to be done, and you just do it."

A woman in her twenties was unconscious when Lachie brought her to shore, but regained consciousness before being taken by ambulance to St George Hospital, where she was placed in the intensive care unit.

A male companion, in his forties, was treated for shock and also taken to St George Hospital.

Lachie's patrol wasn't rostered for duty on Sunday December 27 when beautiful summer weather drew large numbers to the beach, so he went for a body surf between Elouera and Wanda beaches.

"The surf was moderate in size, but the waves and the current were really strong," he said.

As he was leaving the water just after 3pm, he saw a man in trouble 30-40 metres from shore.

"He looked like he was holding someone," Lachie said. "He was going under and getting dragged out.

"I looked around to see if anyone else was going to help, but because the location was between the lifeguard towers it wouldn't be in view.

"A couple of people on the beach were pointing, but no one was going out to them."

Lachie saw a man on the beach with children and a surfboard.

"I told him I needed the board and he said, 'go for it'.

"I started paddling out as hard as I could.

"When I got there, I could see the man was holding a girl, who was unconscious.

"I took her in my arms and knew I needed to get her to the shore as quickly as possible.

"I am 6ft 6in (198cm) and so I was able to stand up, let the board go and start to carry her in.

"The man was in a pretty bad way too, and he held on to my shoulders.

"It was hard going because of the current and waves and I was pretty fatigued by the time we got to shore."

Two surfers came to Lachie's assistance as he got close to shore and lifeguards and lifesavers took control on the beach.

"They all did an awesome job," Lachie said.

Wanda club captain Michael Bonnici said the club was "incredibly proud" of Lachie's efforts.

"Obviously he was off-duty and so he wasn't expecting to do that rescue, but he did it in an exemplary fashion," Michael said.

"We have just done a debrief with the lifeguards and they said he definitely saved lives.

"Lachie is a good club member and we are very lucky to have him."

RELATED

Ripper of a day brings many rescues