Four people had a lucky escape when waves swamped their inflatable dingy as it went out over the bar at Taieri Mouth on Saturday afternoon.
Senior Sergeant Steve Aitken said when they were swamped one of the young people in the boat was knocked overboard so they slowed the boat to pick them up, only to be swamped again.
They managed to get the young person on board and using the boat's one-way valve to expel water and by bailing out they returned safely to shore.
The Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter and two water rescue squad members were called to the scene but the group, aged between 9 and 54, were back on land before rescuers arrived. The person washed overboard suffered a minor leg injury.
The occupants were all wearing life jackets and wetsuits and were properly equipped, Snr Sgt Aitken said.
