Three Dunedin surf life-savers and a member of the city's water rescue squad have all been recognised for their roles in a dramatic rescue near Purakaunui earlier this year.
The surf life-savers had been preparing for the Southern IRB Championship at nearby Warrington Beach when they were alerted to the plight of 30 Columba College pupils caught in a rip off Canoe Beach, near Purakaunui, on March 1.
They responded in two IRBs, and helped three surfers at the scene to get the girls to shore.
The actions of the surfers - Tom Leckie, Dillon Ryan and Tony Denley - also drew praise at the time, after they made four trips to ferry about 16 girls to safety.
Yesterday, Surf Life Saving New Zealand yesterday decided to share its national ''rescue of the month'' award between five of the surf life-savers involved in the rescue.
The recipients included Max Corboy and Cameron Third, from the St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club, Arthur Ibbotson, from the St Clair club, and water rescue squad member Paul Sharp.
A fifth recipient was Sam Dwen, from the Sunset Beach Surf Life Saving Club, in the Waikato.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand chairman Michael Bassett-Foss said their efforts had been ''extraordinary'' as they manoeuvred their IRBs through 2m swells to reach the rescue area and assist.
Max and Cameron helped one ''distressed'' girl, being supported by one the surfers beyond the surf break, to return to shore, but on the way in discovered another ''10 to 15 girls clinging to a tyre tube and on to one another''.
''They were all in distress and couldn't touch the bottom.''
By then, the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter had just arrived, and the pair - together with water rescue squad member Paul Sharp - swam out and helped the girls to shore.
Back on the beach, Cameron split the distressed girls into those that were uninjured, and those needing treatment, and gave a handover briefing to emergency services.
Mr Bassett-Foss said, were it not for the surf life-savers, ''it could have been a very different story''.
Port Chalmers firefighter Ant O'Neill, speaking at the scene, said the girls were also ''very lucky the surfers were there''.
''Those guys were definitely the heroes of the hour. They deserve some recognition.''
St John staff treated 12 girls for water inhalation and mild hypothermia. Four were flown to Dunedin Hospital and three required hospital treatment later.
The national BP Rescue of the Month award recognises life-savers involved in rescues and their clubs receive $100 petrol vouchers.
