A 13-year-old boy in Western Australia has been hailed as ‘superhuman’ after swimming for four hours to raise the alarm for his stranded family. Austin Appelbee swam 4km (2.49 miles) to shore and then ran a further 2km (1.24 miles) to get help, a feat experts say exceeded normal human limits.
Experts suggest that saltwater buoyancy, the survival backstroke technique, and sheer mental determination may have enabled the teenager to accomplish the extraordinary rescue. The survival backstroke, which conserves energy by keeping the face above water, is often taught in Australian swimming programs.
While such feats are rare, there are precedents for extreme endurance swims. In 2018, a 12-year-old girl swam for over an hour to save her father from drowning in New South Wales. However, Austin’s four-hour swim is considered exceptional for his age.
The incident occurred when the family’s boat became stranded off the coast of Western Australia. Austin’s actions have been widely praised, with local authorities commending his bravery and composure under pressure.
