Lachlan Ilias has swapped footy boots for flippers, turning lifesaver during a dramatic beach rescue in Zanzibar.
The Gold Coast-bound halfback was holidaying with his partner, Tegan Stephens, when he spotted a tourist struggling in the water about 300 metres offshore.
Without hesitation, the 25-year-old grabbed a nearby canoe and paddled out to help, with onlookers yelling for assistance from the beach.
By the time Ilias reached the man, he had fallen repeatedly from his own canoe and was visibly exhausted.
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‘I felt like David Hasselhoff’
“I saw this guy out there - I thought he was going for a swim next to his canoe,” Ilias told Sport Confidential.
“Then all the people in the rooms and around the pool started saying that he needs help, he needs help.
“He kept getting onto his canoe and then falling off, maybe eight or nine times. Someone ran down with a staff member and I said to my partner I will go down and help too because I know how to swim.
“There was a spare canoe and I said I’ll go out, I am in my boardies and ready to go. I felt like David Hasselhoff with this canoe walking down these stairs.”
The 10-minute rescue
Ilias said the rescue effort took around 10 minutes as he battled waves and fatigue to get the man safely back to shore.
“People were yelling and screaming. He was like 300 metres off shore. I rowed out on my own and when I got to him, his canoe had all this water in it,” he said.
“I told him to get onto my canoe. Then I got into his, but it started sinking and I fell off. He was exhausted as well. I helped him onto my canoe and told him if he had the energy, to row.
“I was holding both the canoes and swimming into shore. We made it - it took us about 10 minutes to come back in.”
When the pair reached land, Ilias said he was met with applause from the resort guests.
“I finally got to the stairs with him and his canoe. As I got back to the hotel, everyone was clapping me and shaking my hand, thanking me in their broken English.”
The margarita reward
After the adrenaline had worn off, Ilias said the tourist showed his gratitude with a drink by the pool.
“He ended up buying me a margarita,” he laughed.
“I got back to my seat beside the pool and it was waiting for me.”