LIFESAVERS plucking struggling swimmers from the pounding surf is a regular feature of Australian life.

However, few of these rescues have been recorded in such vivid detail as in the pictures taken on a Sydney beach this week.

The Bureau of Meteorology had issued a surf warning for the Sydney coast on Thursday but it did not stop one woman venturing into the 4.5m waves at Bronte Beach.

Once out among the snarling swell, she was caught in a rip and found herself being sucked out to sea.

Her frantic waves for help were snapped by Getty photographer Jenny Evans, along with the moment of her rescue by lifeguard and Bondi Rescue star Andrew Reid.

Mr Reid told the Daily Telegraph he surfed at the beach regularly and was familiar with the conditions.

“She went under a few times — a bit longer than you’d want — that’s why I went in quickly rather than hanging around,” he said.

“I got to her and held her up until the boys came.”