The quick thinking of a skimboarder at Laguna Beach, California’s Aliso Beach saved the life of a toddler on Saturday, May 25, 2013, according to a story in the Laguna Beach Independent.
Pat Watson, 46, who took up skim boarding after moving from Hawaii in 1991, said he threw his board aside and took off in a dead sprint when he saw a child tumbling down the sand berm into swirling whitewater. “I couldn’t see anyone else moving,” said Watson, who was skimming with his son, Danny, 18. They both “bolted” for the child. . . “I was on it,” Watson said. He figures he covered 75 yards before diving into the surf, even though he had yet to see the child resurface. Incredibly, Watson caught sight of her underwater and grabbed her diaper. “I knew she’d been under water at least 15 seconds,” said Watson, who held the baby up overhead while still trying to get his footing before another wave overtook them.
Aliso Beach’s steep sandy beach and pounding shore break is world famous for skimboarding and for catching people completely off guard. The mother and child were walking on the sand when a wave blasted them both into the water. Thanks to Pat Watson, one family is still whole. Equally amazing is that former lifeguard Craig Brashier caught the entire rescue in photos. Click the link for the rest of the story.
[Link: Laguna Beach independent]
