Hero boy swims for four hours to save his family

 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykTniYb4moo

A 13-year-old Australian boy has been hailed a hero after an epic swim that saved his family. The boy, Austin Appelbee, and his family were on a beach holiday in Western Australia. They were kayaking and paddleboarding in shallow water when strong winds pushed them farther offshore. They ended up over four kilometres away from land, and the daylight was fading. Austin decided to kayak to shore to get help. However, the waves had damaged his kayak, which had taken in water and flipped over. He said he then lost an oar and knew he was in trouble. He decided he had no alternative but to swim back to land. He swam through shark-frequented waters to raise the alarm.

Austin made it to the beach and phoned for help. This sparked a huge rescue operation, which resulted in coastguards finding the teenager's mother and two younger sisters. The boy said: "I hit the bottom of the beach and I just collapsed, and then, after that, I had to sprint two kilometres to get to the phone." Rescuers called his efforts "superhuman". One rescuer said Austin's actions could not "be praised highly enough". He added that the teenager's "determination and courage ultimately saved the lives of his mother and siblings". Austin's mother Joanne, 47, told reporters: "The wind picked up. We lost oars, and we drifted out further. It was an absolute nightmare."

1. EVERYDAY HEROES: To what degree are these people heroes? What herioc deeds do they do? Complete this table.

 

Degree

Deeds

Nurses

 

 

English teachers

 

 

Police officers

 

 

Chefs

 

 

Street cleaners

 

 

Presidents

Producers

 

 


2. ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARES: Rank these. Put the worst nightmares at the top and tell us why each one would be a nightmarish for you ?

·         Being lost at sea

·         Losing your smartphone

·         Very noisy neighbours

·         Going to prison

·         A chocolate allergy

·         Year-long hiccups

·         Losing your friends

·         Chronic insomnia

3.Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1.

hailed

a.

A very, very long, difficult and tiring task or activity.

      2.

epic

b.

Gradually grow fainter and disappearing.

      3.

shallow

c.

Praised someone or something enthusiastically.

      4.

fading

d.

Turned over with a sudden quick movement.

      5.

shore

e.

The land along the edge of a sea, lake, or other large body of water.

      6.

flipped

f.

Of one or more things available as another possibility or choice.

      7.

alternative

g.

Having very little depth.

    Paragraph 2

      8.

sparked

h.

 Long flat sticks used to steer or move a small boat, similar to paddles 

      9.

coastguard

i.

Of a person making a decision and strongly deciding not to change it.

      10.

collapsed

j.

The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery.

      11.

determination

k.

Provided the thing that starts another event or process.

      12.

courage

l.

An organization that keeps watch on coastal waters and helps people or ships in danger.

      13.

ultimately

m.

Finally; in the end.

      14.

 oars

n.

Of a person having fallen down and become unconscious.

4. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. hailed
  2. epic
  3. flipped over
  4. trouble
  5. alternative
  6. sparked
  7. collapsed
  8. praised
  9. courage
  10. nightmare
  1. difficulty
  2. overturned
  3. bravery
  4. passed out
  5. heroic
  6. commended
  7. option
  8. ordeal
  9. saluted
  10. set off


 5. PERSONAL REFLECTION PAIRS

  • 1.What scares you most?

  • 2.Have you ever had to be brave?

  • 3.Who depends on you?

  • 4.Would you risk your life for someone?

f

6.Discussion - Heroes

  1. What heroic deeds have you done?
  2. In what ways are all of us heroes?
  3. What do you think of the boys actions?
  4. What were you like as a 13-year-old?
  5. What beach activities do you like?
  6. What would you have done in a similar situation?
  7. What do you think was going through the boy's head?
  8. What would you think if you knew you were in shark-frequented water?

  1. Have you ever phoned for help?
  2. What do you think of coastguards?
  3. Have you ever done anything that could be described as 'superhuman'?
  4. How much determination do you have?
  5. How much courage do you have?
  6. What was the last 'absolute nightmare' you experienced?
  7. What questions would you like to ask the boy and his mother?

 7.ROLE PLAY : 5.Role play

Austin has been nominated for the National Young Hero Award. A live TV show is being broadcast across Australia. You will act out what happens before, during, and after the award ceremony.

Roles  

  • 🏅 Austin Appelbee

  • 👩 Austin’s Mother

  • 🚁 Coastguard Rescuer

  • 🎤 TV Host

  • 📰 Journalist

  • 🧠 Psychologist (expert on bravery)

Part 1: Backstage  

Before going on stage, each character prepares:

  • Austin: How do you feel about being called a hero? Do you agree?

  • Mother: What emotions did you experience that day?

  • Coastguard: Explain why the rescue was so dangerous.

  • Psychologist: What makes someone act bravely instead of freezing?

  • Journalist: Prepare 3 challenging or unexpected questions.

  • Host: Plan how to introduce Austin dramatically.

Part 2: Live TV Interview  

The show begins!

  1. The Host introduces Austin with excitement.

  2. The Journalist asks difficult questions (e.g.,

    • “Were you scared you might die?”

    • “Did you ever think of giving up?”

    • “What if sharks had appeared?”)

  3. The Psychologist explains Austin’s courage.

  4. The Coastguard describes the rescue operation.

  5. The Mother gives an emotional thank-you speech.


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