A daring rescue by a local lifeguard on Sunday over at Sunset Cliffs has caught the attention of social media.
Lifeguard Kirsten Rich dove into dangerous waters off a cove on Sunday sans wetsuit to rescue a surfer struggling while hanging onto some rocks.
Lifeguard Kirsten Rich. Screen grab from News8.
The surfer was pulled to safety but thanks to former OBcean and famous photographer Jim Grant, photos of Rich’s rescue made her an instant celebrity. She told reporters that she had a wetsuit but didn’t have time to put it on. She grabbed one fin and dove.
People watching on the cliffs screamed and yelled and clapped, according to Grant.
The rescue and the photos have been picked up by Newsweek.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
body surfers rule! this lifeguard proves it.
Awesome! Power of the ocean, power of the well-trained and brave! I used to scuba dive a lot (for work) and on my first dive I had to jump off some super dangerous cliffs at the end of Haunama Bay in Honolulu…getting in and getting out are very different things indeed! And to do this without a wet suit, nevermind the cold- its smashing against the abrasive rocks without any skin protection- takes some hutzpah! Kudos to Kirsten! :-)
SD Lifeguards rocks! SD Lifeguard Kirsten Rich rocks!!!