David Bishop is lucky to be alive after being swept out to see in New Plymouth last week.

He spent an hour in two-metre swells off Back Beach after a wave knocked him off his feet when he waded into the ocean to retrieve a ball for his dog Rocko.

He had been left with hypothermia when rescuers dragged him out. 

David Bishop told Simon and Phil that he's still dealing with headaches, but feels very lucky to be alive. 

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