A trio of friends in South Surrey are being lauded for their lifesaving skills after pulling two struggling swimmers from the water this month.
Kate Hunter, Lily Cox and Georgia Springate 害羞草研究所� all 11 years old and members of the 害羞草研究所� were at the beach on the evening of Aug. 18 when they realized two swimmers, a young woman and a teenager, were in distress.
害羞草研究所淲e were just pier jumping, then one person asked us to help this woman to the ladder,害羞草研究所� Lily recounted. 害羞草研究所淲e had just jumped in.害羞草研究所�
As Lily towed the woman to the pier ladder 害羞草研究所� in what she described as a 害羞草研究所減retty cold, strong current害羞草研究所� 害羞草研究所� Kate swam to help a teenager who was clearly struggling after having jumped in wearing a T-shirt and leggings.
Once the woman was safe, Lily and Georgia headed to assist Kate.
Initally trying to also bring the teenager to the pier ladder, the current proved too strong, so the girls headed for the beach instead.
害羞草研究所淲e were getting tired,害羞草研究所� Lily told Peace Arch News. 害羞草研究所�It was cold and we were pretty far out.害羞草研究所�
Lily害羞草研究所檚 mom, Julie Cox, was among parents who saw the events unfold from the shore.
害羞草研究所淭he current was pulling (the younger swimmer),害羞草研究所� Cox said. 害羞草研究所淪he was out for a fair amount of time. It was evident that she was going down. The second time (she went under), it was that little bit too long. That害羞草研究所檚 when the girls all circled around her.害羞草研究所�
Cox said it was clear that most people at the beach didn害羞草研究所檛 realize the potential tragedy unfolding in front of them.
害羞草研究所淚f the girls hadn害羞草研究所檛 been in the water, I don害羞草研究所檛 know how (the distressed swimmers) would害羞草研究所檝e gotten that assistance.害羞草研究所�
The three friends learned what to do in such a situation through CBSC害羞草研究所檚 junior lifeguard program, which is offered for 10- to 14-year-olds through July and August.
Georgia害羞草研究所檚 mom, Cynthia Springate said too many who visit to enjoy the waters are oblivious to its dangers.
害羞草研究所淎 lot of people don害羞草研究所檛 know how strong this current can be,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淚f someone害羞草研究所檚 not watching害羞草研究所π卟菅芯克鶟
Everyone should know how to swim, she said 害羞草研究所� 害羞草研究所渁nd when they should or shouldn害羞草研究所檛.害羞草研究所� The risks are just too high.
害羞草研究所淥ur kids put themselves in some peril to save people who weren害羞草研究所檛 making good decisions about water safety. People have died trying to rescue people.害羞草研究所�
In a newsletter distributed to club members Aug. 20 害羞草研究所� titled 害羞草研究所榃hen Bravery Meets Preparation害羞草研究所� 害羞草研究所� following word of the girls害羞草研究所� efforts, president Bob Armstrong also emphasizes the importance of having such skills.
害羞草研究所淪ometimes events unfold, people react and all that water safety training comes in handy and saves a life,害羞草研究所� Armstrong writes.
Thursday, the girls said they weren害羞草研究所檛 scared, and simply acted on instinct.
害羞草研究所淚n the moment, we weren害羞草研究所檛 really thinking what to do,害羞草研究所� said Kate.
Armstrong describes the girls as 害羞草研究所渙ur newest local heroes.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淭here were plenty of adults on hand but it was these three girls that assessed the situation, jumped in and prevented what could have been a catastrophe.
害羞草研究所淲e are extremely proud of you.害羞草研究所�
