A 37-year-old man has died at Blackmans Bay Beach, south of Hobart, after a desperate attempt to save his life.
Jesse van Seventer, who was from Cygnet, drowned about 100 metres from shore, despite attempts by a kayaker and a police officer to save him.
Mr van Seventer got into trouble during an early morning surf shortly after 8:00am on Sunday morning, and witnesses on the beach raised the alarm, police said.
A witness told the ABC: "It wasn't rough looking at it, but seeing the kayak struggle, the current must have been stronger than it looked."
The man was brought to shore from about 100 metres out, but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful and he died at the scene.
Inspector Matthew Richman said both men did everything they could to rescue the surfer.
"In any circumstance of a rescue it's a very brave person that undertakes any action at all. In this instance, it was a particularly cold circumstance."
"The men acted incredibly bravely and we will certainly be looking at making sure we recognise their actions moving forward," he said.
The kayaker suffered a dislocated shoulder, and the police officer suffered mild hypothermia in the course of the rescue effort.
The kayaker, who wants to remain anonymous, praised the paramedics, the police and other emergency service staff.
"They were all amazing and they really looked after me," he said.
"Absolute professionals, but also deeply caring people.
"Tasmanians should feel very proud of our world-class emergency service women and men."
The police officer also faced significant challenges.
"In speaking to the police officer, he did say that there was a current that caused him to have to realign himself on several occasions," Inspector Richman said.
Both men were taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital and were later released.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
