A SYDNEY man has survived the terrifying ordeal of being sucked down a seawater pipe and spat out on a beach, because of a council worker's bungle.

Allan Baillie was swimming laps at Bilgola Beach rock pool with his wife on Monday when a Pittwater Council worker opened a valve to drain the pool for cleaning.

"I instantly thought, 'I'll never survive this'"... Allan Baillie. Credit:Simon Alekna

The worker, standing on the edge of the pool, appeared to be trying to tell Mr Baillie something.

''As I swam closer to hear what he was saying, I suddenly felt this pressure, this incredible pull,'' he said. ''In an instant I was then sucked feet first inside the pipe. I instinctively thought 'I'll never survive this - there'll be something clogging the end' but in a matter of seconds I found myself dumped on the beach.''