Ghanda founder Josh Rudd saves surfer in dramatic Jan Juc rescue
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 despite warnings and beach closures.
“I saw her drifting and thought, she’s not coming in,” Rudd said.
“Luckily, I had my clubby board in the car because I’d just been paddling with my daughter.”
The woman, believed to be in her early 20s, was separated from her board and left struggling against strong currents.
Witnesses onshore noticed her drifting further out and alerted emergency services.
“By the time I got to her, she was exhausted and couldn’t get on the board,” Rudd said.
“We got smashed by waves trying to get back in.”
Rachel Ray, a local resident who witnessed the incident, praised Rudd’s quick actions.
“What a legend,” she said.
“The conditions were pretty bad, not where anyone should be.
“She was out there probably about 5-10 minutes without a board.”
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.
His brand has grown into a national success story, celebrated for its locally printed designs and customer-focused ethos.
The rescue unfolded as bystanders watched, with Rudd battling high peaks and poor visibility to reach the woman.
The Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club and police arrived shortly after, with a rescue helicopter circling the scene.
Rudd managed to bring the woman to shore before conditions deteriorated further.
“She told me she didn’t think she was going to make it,” Rudd said.
“She’d paddled past the closed beach signs and got caught in the rip. It’s a reminder to respect the ocean.”
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.
Rudd, a former surf lifesaver with years of experience, said even skilled surfers were avoiding the water.
“It’s so important to understand water safety,” Rudd said. “She’s lucky to be alive.”
“Enjoy the ocean, but respect Mother Nature. That’s number one.”
Police told onlookers it was not the first time Rudd had assisted in a rescue at Jan Juc.
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.
“The cat had split down the middle in big seas,” Rudd said.
“It was almost dark when we set out, and we found them hanging off the wreck.”
The incident has prompted renewed calls for visitors to heed beach closures and warning signs during dangerous conditions.