Triathletes turn to surf rescue in NZ

Australian triathletes Aaron Royle and Ryan Bailie have had to incorporate surf rescue into their preparations for this weekend's World Cup race.

Royle and Bailie were preparing for Sunday's World Cup at Plymouth in New Zealand when they saw other swimmers at the beach come into difficulty.

Their Wollongong Wizards team coach Jamie Turner has praised the two triathletes for quick thinking and helping avert a tragedy.

After they helped two British tourists out of a strong rip, Royle and team physio Dean Sullivan went back into the surf to rescue a boy who was also caught in the conditions.

"The British guys were struggling, out of breath and stressed out before Aaron and Ryan arrived and helped them out and the youngster was being sucked out in the same rip and I told the boys their work was not done yet," Turner said.

"The young boy's mother was certainly most thankful."

The Wizards were having an open-water training session at the beach at the time.

Royle is the only Australian so far to gain a nomination for the Rio Olympics triathlon team.

Sunday's race is a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run.