FOUR young girls from Cabarita Beach face a bright future thanks to the quick action of seven teenage lifesavers last Sunday.

The girls struck trouble while swimming and a rip prevented them from getting ashore.

The keen eyes of patrol member Troy Draman spotted the girls and called out the rescue boats.

"I could see they were very distressed," he said.

Three of the young lifesavers rescued three of the girls, with a second boat manned by two more members rescuing the fourth girl.

Nine-year-old Indiana Lipscombe-Hingston needed oxygen, with lifesavers Jaime Sommerville and Fletcher Budd administering first aid and looking after her until an ambulance arrived.

"She had swallowed water and appeared to be in shock," Jaime said.

"It was very scary for her and for the three other 11-year-olds watching on.

"But we didn't take time to think.

"Our training kicked in and it wasn't until it was all over that we really realised the impact of the incident.

"I'm so glad we were there."

The young lifesavers said they were all worried until they heard the girls were all okay.

"We didn't hear anything for a couple of days and were so relieved when we found out that Indiana was happy and healthy," Troy said.

The lifesavers aged from 15 to 18 years said it was great to see the results of their training.

Indiana met with her heroes yesterday to say a huge thank-you and hug her "angels".

"When Bethany (Whiting) pulled me out of the water it was like she had wings," Indiana said.

"She's so strong and I want to be like her one day.

"That's why I've joined Nippers."

Indiana's mother, Cara Hingston said no words could describe her feeling of gratitude.

"Indiana is very precious to me," she said.

"When I heard she was in trouble in the surf I was struck with terror.

"I never want to feel that way again.

"I am very grateful to this wonderful group of young people for saving my little girl's life."