A woman in Cape Breton says she’s lucky to be alive after a dramatic rescue at Dominion Beach.

Amanda Slaunwhite found herself in trouble when strong winds pushed her out to sea. Fortunately, bystanders realized she was in trouble, and called for help.

“I thought I was done,” says Slaunwhite. “I thought the water was going to take me. It was just that bad.”

The 33-year-old woman is still in shock, after a day at the beach that turned into a frightening experience.

“The water was pulling me, I was swimming for a half an hour and getting nowhere,” says Slaunwhite. “I was scared, I didn’t know what was going to happen.”

Slaunwhite was riding the waves on a board. Everything was fine until a strong offshore wind caught her, and pushed her down the coastline and out into deeper water in the Atlantic.

Bystanders at the beach noticedher struggling and called 911. Emergency crews were quickto respond, reaching her by boat.

“I was thinking of my mom and my dad,” says Slaunwhite. “I have to make it to shore for them. Thank god there were people there to pull.”

The lifeguards at Dominion Beach wrap up at six in the evening. It was just an hour later on Monday night that Slaunwhite was swept out to sea.

On Tuesday, the guards were warning people how quickly swimmers can get into trouble when using surfboards or other flotation devices in the water.

“On strong days, you would be surprised,” says N.S. Lifeguard Jordan MacKenzie. “It’s pretty quick. Thirty seconds, you could be two hundred metres out.”

Mike Latter and his family heard about the situation at the beach on Monday and came prepared for their day on Tuesday.

“We got a life jacket for the little one, and other jackets that won’t go over their waist,” says Latter. “I keep a good eye on them. We always have a lifeguard here too, and stay within the limits and boundaries of the flags.”

Slaunwhite says she’s been coming to Dominion Beach for years, and is thankful to those who she says saved her life.

“I’d like to thank you personally, I’m still in shock,” says Slaunwhite. “I cried when I saw how many people came out for me, not knowing who I am, just praying for me.”

It was a life-changing moment, and one that Slaunwhite says she’ll never forget.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore