Eighteen-year-old Matthew Armstrong fell from rocks at the Salmon Holes while returning with his father, David, from a successful day fishing.

“I’m pretty lucky to survive,” he said. “Before I knew it I was in the water.”

He slipped on what he thought was dry, black rock and fell into the sea where he was sucked under by the swell then bashed against rocks.

“I went head-first right under the water,” Mr Armstrong said.

“I used my hands to stop hitting my head on the rocks on the way down.

“A few sets came through and just smashed me against the rocks.”

While his father went to get a buoy from the sentinel post erected by the Drew Foundation, friend Chris Bilecki, who happened to be in the area, rushed to help.

Mr Armstrong said if it was not for Mr Bilecki’s quick thinking, he might have spent longer in the water.

“I owe him my life,” he said.

“He told me to take off my boots and held out a fishing rod and I grabbed it as I scrambled up the rock.

“I don’t know how I got out. It was very steep rock.”

Mr Armstrong was taken to hospital where multiple cuts and abrasions were treated.

A fishing hook that had been snagged on rocks was taken from his leg.

“My dad and myself are pretty experienced and are aware of the dangers, as we go fishing all the time,” he said.

“But from now on I think we’ll stick with the beach and boat fishing.”

Mr Armstrong said he thinks he slipped because he stood on the wet cuff of his jeans.