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Jordi crazy lifesaver

Posted by Aaron Schmidt (Auckland, New Zealand) on 20 October 2005 in People & Portraits.

I'm posting another picture of Jordi in recognition of his heroism this past Sunday.

The story starts with Jordi and his brother, Merlo, out surfing at Piha beach. They had been out on the water for only 15 minutes when Jordi noticed 2 boogie boarders in trouble, being swept out to see by the rip. One boarder managed to get himself to safety while the other was drifting further away. Jordi reached the lost boarder just in time, as his head was starting to slip under the water. He lifted the guy up onto his board and then held up his hand as the signal for rescue. Merlo, meanwhile, had paddled into shore and had run the entire length of Piha beach to the lifeguard station. Unfortunately, Piha lifeguards don't come on duty for the season until next weekend, but he was able to get in contact with the police.

Already way out to sea, Jordi was forced to paddle even farther out to get around the rip tide. After 25 minutes of paddling, Jordi finally got himself and the boarder back to shore. With help from Merlo, they had carried him up onto the beach, the young man was in a complete state of exhaustion, not breathing properly and coughing up water. By this time, lifegaurds had arrived on the scene, bringing with them an ambulance and Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

The young man was rushed to hospital and made a full recovery a few hours later. At the bottom of an article in the NZ Herald they described the rescue but with no mention of Jordi's name or efforts. This is not the first time Jordi has put his own life in danger to save other people's lives. I figured a picture on Aminus3 is the least I can do to give Jordi some of the recognition he deserves.
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Canon EOS REBEL
1/640 second
F/8.0
ISO 200
70 mm