Australian twin brothers who helped rescue swimmers from rough surf in far north New South Wales have slammed others who watched, but didn't help.

A 22-year-old man died after eight people were rescued from being swept out to sea at Duranbah Beach on Christmas Day.

The group of swimmers began drifting into deeper waters around 4pm on Monday, as two surf lifesavers and the Harrington twins raced out to help bring them to shore.

Dean and Sean Harrington, who are known globally as stunt duo The Mad Hueys, lashed out at those who stood by and watched as the pair struggled to bring the distressed swimmers to shore.

A 22-year-old man died after eight people were rescued from being swept out to sea at Duranbah Beach on Christmas Day

The group of swimmers began drifting into deeper waters around 4pm on Monday

Mad Huey stunt duo, Sean and Dean Harrington,helped lifesavers rescue the group of swimmers and slammed those who stood by and watched

'To all those surfers yesterday at D'bah who watched two lifeguards, me and my family save six people and one drowned, f*** you,' the pair posted on Instagram.

'If you see someone in trouble you help them.

'Some poor family has lost a life because people were standing around watching and doing f*** all, it's f***ing bulls**t.'

The twins also called out kite surfers who surfed past as the pair were trying to pull a man to shore.

'And that kite boarder who nearly ran me over twice when I had an unconscious man in my arms you can get f***ed,' they wrote.

The twins lashed out at those who stood by and watched as the pair struggled to bring the distressed swimmers to shore

Lifesavers worked tirelessly to pull all swimmers from the water and have been praised for their heroic efforts.

Surf Life Saving NSW said the incident was the 17th coastal drowning since July and the rising figure was concerning.

CEO Steven Pearce said lifeguards put in a heroic effort to save the man's life.

Two surf lifesavers and the Harrington twins raced out to help bring the group of swimmers to shore

'This tragedy reinforces why we are so determined to ensure that our safety messages are heard and understood,' he said in a statement.

The 22-year-old man who drowned is believed to be an Indian national, the Gold Coast Bulletin reports.

Two other swimmers were taken to hospital in a stable condition.