The friend of a student who drowned while paddling near Clacton Pier said the waves "continuously crashed" into them.
Sujal Sahu, 21, died after getting into difficulties in the water on July 19 last year.
The woman, a friend of Mr Sahu, told an inquest she was in chest height water with five others when they were overpowered by a large wave.
She said the group had got into trouble in the water next to Clacton Pier at about 11am on July 19 last year.
“All of a sudden a large, forceful wave hit into us. With the impact of the wave, it pushed all six of us further out into the sea,” she said.
“I instantly noticed that I was not able to touch the ground with my feet.
“It happened so quickly and there was nothing we could have done to stop it."
The woman said she swallowed water and inhaled it through her nose as she fought for her life.
She continued: “The sea was very rough with a series of violent waves continuously crashing over us.
“I was in such sheer panic, the waves were continuously crashing into us and taking us into the water.
“I was drowning; I couldn’t breath and I genuinely felt I would die.”
The woman was rescued by emergency crews after she was thrown a life ring from the pier.
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