Choppy waters didn’t stop these two brave Morgan Bay heroes from saving a life.
Morgan Bay, Eastern Cape (15 September 2025) – When a surf-skier was swept into rough rip currents off Morgan Bay Beach last week, it all came down to two ordinary men, a surfer and a hotelier, who turned the tide and saved his life.
Just after 5 pm on 10 September, an adult male surf-skier from East London was pulled into the backline by 3-4 metre waves and a strong rip current. The sea was moody, making it a tough rescue scenario.
Driving past at that exact moment was Craig Elliot, a local surfer. He raised the first alarm with the staff at the Morgan Bay Hotel, who alerted the NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), while NSRI coast watchers phoned in with more reports.
Knowing that time is a big factor in sea rescue, Craig suited up in his wetsuit and paddled straight into the wild surf to help, without any hesitation. When he reached the man, he was exhausted and clinging to survival. Craig managed to hold onto him, keeping him above water against the relentless breakers. At this point, the man had lost his ski, which had later washed ashore.
Thankfully, Craig made it there in the nick of time.
Back on the beach, our second hero, Richard Warren-Smith from the Morgan Bay Hotel, was prepping his jet-ski, after the NSRI Kei Mouth lifeguards failed to enter the water as the sea was simply too rough. The back-breakers and strong current made it impossible to reach the pair.
That’s when Richard launched off. Against all odds, he navigated choppy conditions and reached Craig and the casualty. He first loaded the surf-skier onto his jet-ski and rushed him to shore, where NSRI medics treated him for non-fatal drowning symptoms.
Richard then turned back into the surf, found Craig, and brought both him and his board safely to the beach.
The ambulance was stood down after both men were checked by medics and declined any further medical care.
The NSRI Kei Mouth made it clear that the heroes of this story were two ordinary men who were determined to save a life. Now they’re heroes.
“The actions, on Wednesday, of both Good Samaritans, surfer Craig Elliot and jet-skier Richard Warren-Smith, are commended for contributing to saving the life of the East London surf-skier against incredibly rough seas and strong sea currents,” they shared.
This rescue was a team effort, with the NSRI responding, lifeguards ready, medics waiting, and locals acting quickly. But it was the courage of Craig and Richard who refused to look away that mattered most.
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