A quick-thinking surfer launched her board and paddled straight into the swell to reach a young man whose Sunday swim turned into a life-threatening situation at Clifton 2nd Beach over the weekend.
Cape Town, South Africa (07 April 2026) – When a young man was spotted struggling and in distress at Clifton 2nd Beach on Sunday morning, a female surfer hurried to help.
According to eyewitnesses, the surfer had launched her surfboard to reach the man’s aid. It appears he had gone for a swim when he encountered difficulties in the water. The NSRI Bakoven duty crew and CoCT (City of Cape Town) water rescue network were activated after an eyewitness reported to the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre.
Upon arrival, the NSRI crew discovered the surfer bringing the man to shore on her surfboard, with local community members assisting him as she reached the beach.
The man, aged 23 and from Angola, was medically stabilised by a doctor who, by a stroke of good luck, happened to be at the beach. He provided medical assistance before being shortly joined by CSO paramedics. Paramedics, law enforcement officers, and Clifton Surf Lifesaving lifeguards helped carry him up the Clifton stairs, where he was transported to the hospital by EMS ambulance in a stable condition.
The man is expected to make a full recovery. The anonymous Good Samaritan surfer is praised for rescuing him from the water, saving his life. A huge shoutout also goes out to the eyewitness who raised the alarm, the doctor who provided assistance, and the quick response by everyone involved.
Sources: NSRI
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