It's been a wild Christmas at sea and people are once again urged to exercise caution in the water, after a man was rescued at Dunmore East, just ten to 15 metres from the shore.

On Deise Today this morning, Damien heard from seasoned Waterford swimmer Susan Jacob, who, along with her friend and fellow swimmer Angela Thornton, was involved in the rescue of Fergus McNamara on New Year's Eve. Fergus got caught in a riptide and he, Susan, Angela and another lady from Dublin were in the water for about 20 minutes before the RNLI Lifeboat brought them to shore.

Susan  said you really have to look at the long term forecast, and at what the weather has been like before the day you decide to swim.  She advises people to have as much knowledge of waves as possible, and to listen to people who understand the water.

The riptides can whisk you out in no time at all, without you realising. If there's a wave in it, that wave could stop you coming back in.

Susan told Damien that on December 31st, she was walking towards Lawlor's strand in Dunmore East with a group of her swimming friends. They noticed unusual activity in the water so one of the group, Angela Thornton, went down to see what was happening. When they realised a man (Fergus) was in difficulty, Angela took the bouy and went into the water, with Susan holding the end of the rope, Fergus was accompanied by another woman who had become cold and tired. Susan stressed that the situation was helped hugely by the fact that they remained calm. However, they found it very difficult to come into the shoreline due to the power of the waves.

Susan told Damien that she estimates they were in the water for about 20 minutes. She describes in great detail about what happened from when they went out to sea, until the RNLI Lifeboat then arrived to bring them in.

When I looked at way the waves were bashing the Lifeboat about, it gave me a whole different perspective of what they go through when they go out on the water. They are amazing, just amazing.

Fergus McNamara is safe and well, as are Susan and the other swimmers. He joined Damien on the line this morning too, describing Susan and Angela as 'guardian angels' for staying with him in the water until the Lifeboat came.

You can listen back on Damien's interviews with Susan and Fergus through the link on this podcast. And for all Deise Today interviews, click here.