Candice Warner has opened up about the “terrifying” moment her daughter got caught in a rip while on holiday on the Gold Coast.
The professional ironwoman was on a Queensland getaway with her cricket star husband David Warner and their three kids when disaster nearly struck.
Thankfully, seven-year-old Indi Rae, was pulled to safety, but Candice said the incident shook her to the core – and inspired her to team up with Surf Life Saving Australia to help spread water safety awareness.
“Indi went to the beach with a friend of mine and her kids while we were visiting the Gold Coast recently, and they swam in an area of the beach that wasn’t between the red and yellow flags,” the 38-year-old told news.com.au.
“My friend turned her back for a second to talk to some friends, when she looked back around the kids had been swept into a rip and needed to be rescued.
“We were lucky with the outcome but so many people aren’t. It was a good reminder to always keep your eyes on the ocean as it can be very unpredictable.”
Already in 2024, there have been 42 deaths caused by drowning, with most coastal drownings involving people getting caught in rip currents, Surf Life Saving Australia said.
“We all love the beach but we need to understand that it can also be dangerous at times,” Candice added.
“If we learn to understand the ocean and identify rips and currents that will help.
“What’s vital is that we only swim at patrol beaches and we only swim between the red and yellow flags.”
The mother, who described the incident with Indi as “terrifying” and “frightening”, said she’s now “more alert when I’m at the beach”.
“I have my phone down and all eyes on my kids at all times when they are in the water,” she revealed.
“It’s also a good reminder to always swim between the flags where I know there are going to be trained lifesavers looking out as well.”
Candice said one way to help prevent water accidents is by getting kids involved in their local Nippers group as it teaches kids water confidence and knowledge as well as skills important for a beach environment.
“Indi’s scare really validated our reasoning for enrolling our kids in nippers,” Candice explained.
“I believe this is absolutely essential for any family that has a local Surf Club nearby as it can potentially save their life.
“It’s also lots of fun and they’ll make lifelong friends, just like I have from when I first joined Nippers at the age of seven.”
Adam Weir, the CEO at Surf Life Saving Australia, said the impact of water deaths on communities is “devastating”.
“A large percentage of these coastal drownings are occurring less than one kilometre from a patrolled location,” he stressed.
“We want people to enjoy the beach but return home safely and the safest place to swim is between the red and yellow flags.
“It is really important that kids learn how to be safe in and around the water and we have nipper programs in our surf clubs for children aged 5-14 right around the country.”
How to identify a rip
Candice also shared an easy tip that can help Aussies spot a rip, citing the common expression, “white is nice and green is mean”.
“Generally you will find a danger sign on the sand pointing out to the ocean where one is occurring,” she explained.
“If there are waves breaking and you can see white water, that generally is a safe spot to swim.
“If you see green water, that means it’s deep and the water is moving out to sea, stay away from that.”