Carlos Amaya, a Peruvian surfer living in Ireland, emphasised that the act of rescuing a life is far more significant than being honoured with an accolade. Earlier this year, he courageously saved three individuals of a single family from a threatening rip current dragging them into the sea.
Carlos, aged 46, forms part of the remarkable group of 32 saviours nationwide who in the last year have ensured that 19 individuals in 16 distinct incidents, did not lose their lives to drowning. These commendable endeavours were acknowledged at the annual awards ceremony of Water Safety Ireland, held at Dublin Castle.
Currently a resident of Carrigaline, County Cork, with his wife and three children, Carlos extends his love for the sea by offering surfing lessons at the local Garrettstown beach. After spending 13 years in Ireland, he has become a respected figure in the local community.
On a fateful Saturday, the 18th of March, after wrapping up a surfing tutorial, Carlos noticed an alarmed woman yelling from atop the rocks. He discerned that a woman, along with two youngsters and an adult, were struggling to stay afloat amidst the waters. The rip current was perilously dragging them deeper into the sea.
Without wasting a moment, Carlos snatched up his surfboard and sprinted towards the sea. Coincidentally, Aaron, another surfer already in the water, was making efforts to reach the panic-stricken individuals. It was a race against time as the trio was approximately 200 metres off the coast when Carlos and Aaron reached them.
Due to the timely intervention, Carlos was able to pull the children to safety using his surfboard while Aaron aided the fatigued father. Thanks to their bravery and quick thinking, all three individuals survived the harrowing incident.
In his own words, Carlos recalls, “Upon seeing the distressed family in the water, I instinctively grabbed my surfboard and dashed into the sea, maintaining my calm all the while.” He also pointed out misconceptions regarding water safety at Garrettstown mentioning, “People often overlook the bane of rip currents. This rescue, though the largest, is certainly not the first in my six-year working tenure here.”
While expressing ambivalence about his award, he nonetheless conveyed his joy knowing that those he had saved continue to lead fulfilling lives. Among other honourees was Michael Brennan of Wexford who on August 20th, 1982, swam out to a man and boy in distress far from the shore at Fethard-On-Sea. Alerted to their plight, he aided them to swim towards the shore whilst beckoning for assistance from bystanders. He was able to ensure the safe return of the boy who subsequently fully recovered.
Rewind to almost seven decades back in Dublin, Paul Jackson came to the crucial rescue of a toddler named Richard Clarke. On September 23rd, 1955, the three-year-old lad slipped into the water at Binns Bridge on the Royal Canal while playing with his cousin, aged five. The cousin flagged down some nearby ESB workers who attempted to help, but it was Paul, a young teen of 14, who managed to extract Richard from the water and to safety. The ESB staff resuscitated the boy and he was rushed to hospital where he also made a complete recovery.
Joanne Walsh, the CEO of Water Safety Ireland emphasised that even though drowning incidents can occur swiftly and without warning, everyone can still evade the risks and take charge of their own safety with the correct knowledge, skills, and mindset. The event also applauded rescuers from the counties of Waterford, Wexford, Dublin, Donegal, and Kildare for their acts of bravery.