Hope is fading that former Newcastle Knights forward Ryan Sainty will be found alive after a teenager told police she saw a man struggling in the water on the afternoon he went missing.
Sainty, 20, hasn't been seen since Friday afternoon when he left his Woy Woy, NSW home to go for a quick paddle in his surf ski.
About 4.30pm on Friday, four hours after Sainty left home, his surf ski, paddle and wind jacket were found on Brisbane Water.
A large-scale air, water and land search has so far failed to find any trace of the talented footballer who played in the Knights' Toyota Cup under-20s side before being injured last year.
"He said he would be back for lunch," a devastated Terry Sainty said yesterday as the search for his son continued.
"He goes out [on his surf ski] all the time. He does it for enjoyment."
Police said they were investigating a possible sighting of Sainty on the afternoon he disappeared, reported by a 15-year-old girl from Saratoga, directly across Brisbane Water from Woy Woy.
The Herald understands the girl told police she saw what appeared to be a man struggling with a kayak or surf ski in the water on Friday.
Police say they will continue to search for Sainty, and are considering all logical possibilities.
A police helicopter combed the area for the third straight day yesterday. Water police and the coastal patrol have also been assisting Brisbane Water local area command.
Sainty was regarded as a talented and strong front-rower who had not been re-signed by the Knights for the current season as he was too old for the Toyota Cup squad.
The club's development manager, Warren Smiles, said yesterday that Sainty had been studying at university.
"We certainly never had any issues with him. He was just a nice, quiet kid," he said.
Since leaving the Knights, Sainty had lined up for Wyong in the Newcastle Rugby League competition.
Rugby league websites were abuzz with the news yesterday, and more than 100 people have joined a group on the website Facebook praying for his safe return.
Sainty's disappearance has drawn comparisons with Warriors player Sonny Fai, who went missing after being swept into rough seas on an Auckland beach in January.
"Hopefully Ryan is found and the NRL world do not have to mourn the loss of another great up-and-coming talent," one Facebook user wrote.
Police investigate Ryan Sainty disappearance
SIX days after his disappearance, police are continuing to search for 20-year-old rugby league star Ryan Sainty, who went missing while paddling a surf ski near his NSW central coast home.
While his disappearance is not being treated as suspicious, investigators now want to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mr Sainty in the days before he went missing.
He was last seen about 12.30pm (AEST) on Friday, June 12, at his Woy Woy home when he told his mother he was going for a one-hour paddle.
He was reported missing about five hours later.
"A short time later a man advised police he found a blue surf ski about 200m off Saratoga about 4.30pm," police said.
"The surf ski was upside-down in the water with a paddle and wind jacket tied to it."
Air, land and sea searches have since failed to find the former Newcastle Knights player and efforts have been scaled back.
"At this time in our inquiry there is no suggestion of Ryan meeting foul play," Detective Inspector Graeme Parker said.
"Anyone who might have been in contact with Ryan in the days before his disappearance on 12 June is urged to contact us.
Today's water search will cover an area between Rip Bridge, Paddys and Lintern Channels.
Anyone with information about Mr Sainty is urged to contact police.
He is described as about 190cm
tall, with short dark hair and an
athletic build.
