Nicole Woods, the head coach of the University of North Carolina Wilmington women's basketball team, was enjoying a family day at Wrightsville Beach when the ocean suddenly turned hostile.
She and her eight‑year‑old nephew Noah waded into the surf, only to be seized by a rip current that dragged them farther from shore, cutting off their route back to land.
A Narrow Escape
In that terrifying moment Woods recalled instinctively shoving Noah toward the nearby rescuers, a move that kept the child afloat while she fought to stay conscious.
First‑responders arrived within minutes, administering CPR and oxygen that revived Woods after she had lost consciousness, a rescue she later described as a miracle.
Expert Advice on Rip Currents
Experts on rip currents emphasize staying calm, conserving energy, and floating until help arrives, guidance that likely saved the pair from a far worse outcome.