Physical Therapy Student Saves Surfer’s Life

by The Editors on July 16, 2010

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Sofia Costa, a physical therapy student at the University of St. Augustine in San Marcos, California has only been surfing for one month and she has already saved the life of one longtime Carlsbad surfer.

At approximately 9 AM July 16, 2010 Costa was surfing with friends at Carlsbad’s Cherry Street when she saw a lone board floating in the water.

“I saw a board just floating there for a while and I asked someone, ‘Hey where is the guy,'” she said. “I paddled out there and another surfer met me there and we saw him there in the water. His board was holding him up.”

The surfer was completely submerged and at the end of his leash. If Costa and the other surfers hadn’t taken action the man would have died. “We both helped him up and we put him on the board,” she said. “Then we called all the other surfers to come and help us out because we couldn’t hold it that much longer. We got all our boards together put him on one and floated him. We just all came together and helped him out.”

Carlsbad Police, Fire, and California State Park Lifeguards responded. According to friends on the beach the surfer, who appeared to be in his early 50s, may have had a seizure while surfing. He was transported by State Beach Lifeguards to a Carlsbad Fire Department Ambulance for transport to a local hospital.

“I think I just got initiated into the surfing world,” Costa said. Thanks to Costa, it looks like another surfer will live to surf another day and we’re pretty certain she will be welcome at any surf break for life.


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The surfer being transported to the waiting llfeguard vehicle.

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In good hands. . .

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Carlsbad Police department interviewing a witness on the scene.

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Dr Miller July 16, 2010 at 3:16 pm

Sofia: I am so proud of you!! Not only are you a good citizen-surfer; but demonstrating your compassion as a future health professional. I’m happy to be your instructor.

Melissa Portela July 16, 2010 at 5:17 pm

I am grateful that this program has led me to meet such a great person! You displayed amazing courage out there! You set your fears aside and you took action to save a man’s life! Today will never be forgotten and I am so happy that we were all there together!

R. Monsevalles July 25, 2010 at 6:23 am

Sofia you may not remember me, but I was your math teacher at Harlingen South. Mrs. Jane Duncan forwarded this site, to me, I was so glad to see on being interviewed, and further proud of what you did. You were in the right place at the right time! Good luck in the future.
Sincerely,
R. Monsevalles

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