A surfboard that washed ashore with a broken leash in El Porto late Sunday afternoon prompted a concerned crowd watching the 10- to 20-foot surf to flag down a Los Angeles County Lifeguard truck.
“The lifeguard truck just happened to be passing by. I had watched the driver close up his tower in front of the El Segundo jetty just minutes before,” said Bill Hood, who was returning home from a sunset bike ride.
“Everyone was looking for the surfer out in the huge swells, and when we spotted him we pointed him out to the lifeguard, who was searching through his binocs,” Hood said.
Lifeguards Natalie Anzavino and Chris Maloney arrived in another truck and swam out to rescue the surfer. But before they could reach him, he bodysurfed back to the beach.
Hood said that after the incident, he talked to the surfer, who had been in danger of hypothermia from the mid-50 degree water.
“He said he was starting to get worried, until he saw the lifeguard trucks with their flashing lights. That gave him the surge of adrenaline he needed to swim in. He also said it was a beautiful sunset,” Hood said.
“After Maloney helped the surfer out of the water everyone applauded,” Hood said. ER
