🚨 “THERE WERE MOMENTS I WANTED TO GIVE UP” — But this 13-year-old Australian boy refused to quit… and it saved his entire family’s life! 😱💪

Picture this: A fun beach day turns into a nightmare. Mom and three kids swept miles out to sea on kayaks and paddleboards, drifting helplessly in rough, cold waves as darkness falls. No phone, no help in sight. The mom faces an impossible choice — send her 13-year-old son swimming alone back to shore… or risk losing everyone.

He battles for FOUR HOURS straight: ditches his life jacket midway because it was slowing him down, fights massive currents, exhaustion hits hard, and yes — there were moments he wanted to stop forever. But ONE powerful thought kept him pushing: “Not today… not today… I have to keep going.”

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In what authorities and witnesses have described as an extraordinary act of courage, a 13-year-old Western Australian boy swam approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) through choppy, cold waters for four grueling hours to raise the alarm after his family was swept far offshore, ultimately saving the lives of his mother and two younger siblings.

The incident unfolded on January 30, 2026, in Geographe Bay near the coastal town of Quindalup in Western Australia’s South West region. Austin Appelbee, his mother Joanne Appelbee, 47, his 12-year-old brother Beau, and his 8-year-old sister Grace had set out for what was intended as a relaxing family outing on paddleboards and a kayak. Conditions appeared calm at first, but strong currents and offshore winds quickly carried the group away from the beach.

The family found themselves drifting helplessly, eventually reaching up to 14 kilometers (about 8.7 miles) offshore during their ordeal, which lasted more than 10 hours for the three left in the water. With no means of communication and fading daylight adding to the danger, Joanne Appelbee made what she later called “one of the hardest decisions” of her life: asking her eldest son to attempt the swim back to shore alone to seek help.

Austin initially tried to paddle the kayak toward land, but rough waves caused it to take on water, forcing him to abandon it. He began swimming, wearing a life jacket for the first two hours. Realizing the buoyancy aid was hindering his progress against the current, he made the calculated — and risky — decision to remove it and continue without it for the remaining two hours.

In interviews with ABC News and other outlets, Austin recounted the physical and mental toll. “There were moments I wanted to give up,” he admitted. Exhausted, battling fatigue, cold water, and relentless waves, he kept himself going with a simple, repeated mantra: “Not today, not today, not today. I have to keep on going.”

He also credited faith as a key factor, telling reporters he prayed throughout the swim and promised to get baptized if he survived. “I don’t think it was actually me [swimming]… It was God the whole time,” he said in one account. “I kept on praying, kept on praying. I said to God, ‘I’ll get baptized.’”

After reaching the shore, Austin didn’t stop. He ran an additional 2 kilometers (about 1.2 miles) along the beach to locate a phone and contact emergency services. His call triggered a large-scale rescue operation involving police, volunteer marine rescue crews, and other emergency responders. Using aerial surveillance and boats, teams located Joanne, Beau, and Grace clinging to the paddleboards in the darkness. All were brought safely to shore after more than eight hours adrift.

Western Australia Police praised Austin’s actions as “superhuman.” Bunbury District Superintendent Mark Bresland highlighted the teenager’s determination, noting that his persistence in the face of deteriorating conditions was critical to the successful outcome. “The actions of the 13-year-old boy cannot be praised highly enough — his determination and courage ultimately saved the lives of his mother and siblings,” Bresland stated.

Joanne Appelbee, reflecting on the ordeal, described the moment she sent her son into the water as heartbreaking. She explained she could not leave the younger children unattended in the open ocean. “I had assumed Austin hadn’t made it,” she told the BBC, revealing the anguish of waiting in uncertainty. Yet she expressed profound gratitude for her son’s resilience.

The family was treated for minor hypothermia and exhaustion but suffered no serious injuries. Authorities emphasized that the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of offshore currents in popular recreational areas like Geographe Bay, even on seemingly mild days. Officials urged beachgoers to check conditions, carry communication devices, and avoid venturing far from shore without proper safety measures.

Austin himself has downplayed the “hero” label. Speaking to the BBC, he said simply, “I don’t think I am a hero — I just did what I did.” His humility has only amplified public admiration, with the story spreading rapidly across Australian and international media. Social media users have flooded platforms with messages of support, calling for recognition of the boy’s bravery, including suggestions for awards or scholarships.

Experts in open-water swimming and survival have marveled at the physical feat. A 4-kilometer swim in rough seas without a life jacket, especially for a teenager, is no small accomplishment. Factors such as Austin’s apparent fitness, mental fortitude, and the decision to shed the life jacket (which can sometimes impede efficient swimming in strong currents) contributed to his success. However, specialists stress that such actions are extremely dangerous and not recommended without training.

The rescue has also spotlighted the effectiveness of Western Australia’s emergency services. Marine Rescue volunteers and police coordinated swiftly despite challenging conditions, including low light and rough seas. The operation’s success underscores the importance of rapid response in marine incidents.

As the Appelbee family recovers, the focus remains on Austin’s extraordinary effort. What began as a routine beach day ended in a life-or-death struggle that tested the limits of human endurance — and revealed the unbreakable bond of family. In a world often filled with tragedy at sea, this story stands out as one of remarkable survival and selflessness.

No charges or investigations have been announced, as the incident appears to stem from natural conditions rather than negligence. The family has expressed thanks to rescuers and the community for their support.

For anyone planning water activities, authorities reiterate key safety tips: Wear life jackets, stay within sight of shore, carry a charged phone or VHF radio in a waterproof case, and never underestimate changing weather or currents.

Austin Appelbee’s swim may not make him seek the spotlight, but it has inspired countless people — proving that courage can come from the youngest among us, and that sometimes, the words “not today” are enough to defy the odds.