A group of kayakers had to be assisted by lifeguards at Salt Rock Main Beach in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal after getting into difficulty on New Year’s Day.

The kayakers – three adult men – had launched just next to the bathing area at the beach at around 07:00.

“The guys started going out and looked alright to start with but then got caught in the mid-break waves, putting all three of them in the water,” says KwaDukuza lifeguard superintendent, Bongani Xulu.

Luckily, given the location of the launch, lifeguards on duty were able to respond immediately and reached the men before they were in any serious trouble.

“This is not a case of a near-drowning but rather a mass rescue. The men were back safely on shore in minutes,” says Xulu.

Photographer, Jacqueline Nel, was on hand to capture the scene as it unfolded.