A woman who nearly died after taking an early morning cold plunge has opened up about her harrowing experience after spending more than 30 minutes clinging to a rock in the desperate hope of being rescued.
Maxime Rancourt had begun the day with a kickstart to her adrenaline by taking an early morning swim in the San Fransisco Bay area, with her heading out for an early morning cold plunge.
But Rancourt got far more than she bargained for when, during a cliff diving session, she found herself having to be rescued by emergency services after powerful waves left her stranded in the ocean.
Reports state that around 32 people need to be rescued from this area each year due to strong currents.
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"I was told I was grateful to be alive, you know," she said during a teary interview with ABC News.
"I could have died," she added as she welcomed a hug from her interviewer.
Rancourt said everything had looked 'fine' before she made the decision to take on the waves that day. But despite a smooth forecast, just seconds into her session things took a turn for the worse.
A powerful current dragged Rancourt and her board out to sea, with the fierce waves carrying her farther.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity battling vicious waves, Rancourt located a rock on the edge of a cliff and dragged herself towards safety.
From there, she clung desperately to the rock - which was located in Kelly's Cove, around 70ft below the cliff's edge - wearing nothing but her bathing suit, anxiously awaiting the help of a passerby who might spot her and offer to help transport her to safety.
Finally, after a gruelling 30 minutes clinging to the large rock, someone saw her and immediately called emergency services, which arrived within just minutes of the call.
After arriving, a skilled firefighter then made the treacherous journey rappelling the rock to reach Rancourt, while two other firefighters were on site to ensure she was brought to safety, each securely holding a grab line at the top of the rock.
The winds in the area were reportedly unusually strong, and the sea was just 56 degrees Fahrenheit when Rancourt decided to take the cold plunge.
Chill winds coming off the Pacific ocean made the water even colder and more dangerous for Rancourt, who was thankfully spotted and rescued by emergency workers.
Following the dramatic rescue, a heartwarming video revealed a relieved Rancourt embracing her rescuer after the incident.
"Thank you for saving my life," she said gratefully. "Because of you, I'm going to have a future, and I'm going to have kids," she added, beaming as she embraced the man who saved her life.
Following the terrifying ordeal, she currently has no plans to re-enter the water.
Topics: US News, Sport, California
Alice Wade