A wakeboarder has rescued an echidna found stranded more than 70 metres from shore.

Brendan Paterson was wakeboarding at Bonnie Doon when he saw what he thought was a struggling upside down turtle.

As he approached, he realised it was an echidna.

Press PLAY below to hear Brendan telling Ross and Russel how the rescue unfolded 

“I know echidnas can swim, but this was an echidna that could not swim and was definitely struggling,” he told Ross and Russel.

Press PLAY below to see the extraordinary vision

Video: Jacqui Felgate