Santa Cruz, California – Surfers in Santa Cruz were hailed as heroes after they swam toward a capsized boat and pulled six injured people onto their boards until emergency crews arrived.
Large groups of surfers were hitting big waves on February 6 at Steamer Lane, a popular spot along California’s central coast, when a small motor boat passed by and hit a wave, sending two adults and four children into the water. Many of the passengers were not wearing life jackets, according to the Santa Cruz Fire Department’s accident report.
“I basically live on this beach — I’m there almost every day — and this is one of the craziest things I’ve seen,” said Vince Tozzi, who was filming surfers when the boat capsized.
Tozzi said he knew something was about to go terribly wrong when he saw the fast-moving boat out of the corner of his eye. Then, he saw about 10 surfers, two of whom were just 14 years old, carrying people to safety.
Among those who came to the rescue was Darrell “Fly” Virostko, a three-time winner of the Mavericks Big Wave Contest.
“I knew they were down and it was time to paddle as quickly as possible,” Virostko said in an Instagram post. “Man, it’s good to have the surf community working together as a team.”
He said he pulled the adult man to his board while screaming for his children.
Tozzi said port patrol boats and ambulances arrived within minutes.
The passengers were taken to the hospital and are recovering, according to fire officials.
Fire Chief Rob Otte met with some surfers this week to thank them for their bravery.