![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/01\/IMG_8793-197x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The woman, believed to be in her early 20s, was separated from her board and left struggling against strong currents.<\/p>\n
Witnesses onshore noticed her drifting further out and alerted emergency services.<\/p>\n
“By the time I got to her, she was exhausted and couldn’t get on the board,” Rudd said.<\/p>\n
“We got smashed by waves trying to get back in.”<\/p>\n
Rachel Ray, a local resident who witnessed the incident, praised Rudd’s quick actions.<\/p>\n
“What a legend,” she said.<\/p>\n
“The conditions were pretty bad, not where anyone should be.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was out there probably about 5-10 minutes without a board.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rudd, who started Ghanda Clothing in 2003 by selling garments out of his car at Torquay markets, is a well-known figure in the Surf Coast community.<\/p>\n His brand has grown into a national success story, celebrated for its locally printed designs and customer-focused ethos.<\/p>\n The rescue unfolded as bystanders watched, with Rudd battling high peaks and poor visibility to reach the woman.<\/p>\n The Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club and police arrived shortly after, with a rescue helicopter circling the scene.<\/p>\n Rudd managed to bring the woman to shore before conditions deteriorated further.<\/p>\n “She told me she didn’t think she was going to make it,” Rudd said.<\/p>\n “She’d paddled past the closed beach signs and got caught in the rip. It’s a reminder to respect the ocean.”<\/p>\n Conditions on Saturday were some of the worst seen at Jan Juc in years. Strong easterly winds created a “washing machine” effect, with high peaks and unpredictable rips.<\/p>\n Rudd, a former surf lifesaver with years of experience, said even skilled surfers were avoiding the water.<\/p>\n “It’s so important to understand water safety,” Rudd said. “She’s lucky to be alive.”<\/p>\n “Enjoy the ocean, but respect Mother Nature. That’s number one.”<\/p>\n Police told onlookers it was not the first time Rudd had assisted in a rescue at Jan Juc.<\/p>\n He has been involved in multiple rescues, including a dramatic incident where he and a friend saved two people clinging to a broken catamaran in rough seas.<\/p>\n “The cat had split down the middle in big seas,” Rudd said.<\/p>\n “It was almost dark when we set out, and we found them hanging off the wreck.\u201d<\/p>\n The incident has prompted renewed calls for visitors to heed beach closures and warning signs during dangerous conditions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A young woman was pulled from treacherous surf at Jan Juc on Saturday after losing her board and being swept out in a strong easterly rip. Josh Rudd, founder of the popular surf and streetwear brand Ghanda Clothing, paddled out on a rescue board to save the woman, who had been caught in rough conditions […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/01\/JoshRudd-founderofth_85217-e1737179488282-300x158.jpg\")