A Dunedin surfer is being praised as a hero after he dramatically pulled a man being bashed up against rocks and the esplanade wall at St Clair beach this afternoon.
St Clair Surf Life Saving Club chairman James Coombes said the rescued surfer had only been out in the water for about 10 minutes when he became stuck against the St Clair Esplanade wall.
Video courtesy Scott James. Warning: contains coarse language
He was trying to get out by climbing up the stairs, but the heavy surf meant he was unable to leave the water, Mr Coombes said.
A local surfer, Jeff Patton, saw him and was able to chuck a rope out to the man, believed to be an inexperienced surfer from Germany, who then got up the stairs.
Mr Coombes was full of praise for Mr Patton's quick actions and said the surfer could have drowned or been seriously injured if he had not been pulled out when he was.
