A Jacksonville Beach man who nearly drowned in April is now back on his feet and reuniting with the crews who helped save his life.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — A Jacksonville Beach man who drowned in April is now back on his feet and reuniting with the people who helped save his life.

“I thought I was a goner,” said 19-year-old Joshua Clemons.

Clemons, who has lived in Jacksonville his entire life, was swimming with friends near 6th Avenue South around 7 p.m. on April 20 when a wave knocked him down and a strong undertow pulled him farther into the ocean.

His friend, Corey Brennan, had only known Clemons for a short time. Now, the two say they are forever connected.

“He grabbed my socks and said I won’t let you drown, and I blacked out,” Clemons said.

As Clemons struggled in the water, Brennan tried to keep him afloat.

“His head started bobbing up and out of the water,” Brennan said. “So I did what I could and reached in, grabbed him and tried to get him as close as I could to shore.”

Lifeguards had already ended their shift for the day when the call came in.

“It was about 7:04 when we were all about headed out from work,” said Evan Rhodes, an EMT lifeguard with Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue. “A late call came over the radio saying there were swimmers screaming for help.”

Rhodes and Assistant Captain Rob Emahiser rushed back to the beach, opening their vehicle bay and heading to the scene, where bystanders flagged them down.

Rhodes grabbed a rescue buoy and swam out.

“When I got to them, there was one bather being supported by the other who was completely unconscious,” he said.

Clemons was pulled from the water and rushed to the hospital, where he spent several days on life support.

Jacksonville Beach Police Corporal Jason LaMont also responded and helped with the rescue. Clemons says the experience is still difficult to process.

“It was actually tragic, man… but thank God,” he said, recalling the support from friends, first responders and hospital staff.

Those involved say it took a team effort, from friends in the water to lifeguards and emergency crews on shore.

“He’s family to me,” Brennan said. “I told him I wasn’t going to let anything happen to him.”

“It was pretty scary in the moment,” Rhodes said. “But we train for this all the time… it was the right place, right time, and I’m happy to see the outcome of him standing right here.”

LaMont also praised the rescue team’s response.

“They truly are the best lifeguards in the country,” he said. “What they did that day, it mattered and truly made a difference.”

Now recovering, Clemons recently reunited with the responders who helped save his life. Officials say the incident is also a reminder of how quickly conditions can turn dangerous in the ocean.

They urge swimmers to always go with a buddy, avoid the water at night and be aware of their limits.

“Don’t overestimate your abilities or underestimate how much power there is in the ocean,” Emahiser said.