Two-time world bodyboarding champion Andre Botha was presented with a Silver Lifesaving Medal by Rear Adm. Matthew Sibley, commander, Coast Guard 14th District, at Ehukai Beach Park, on Oʻahu.

The Medal was given to Both in recognition of his rescue of Evan Geiselman, a surfer who had wiped out while free surfing at Banzai Pipeline on Oʻahu. Botha, who was body boarding nearby, recovered Geiselmanr from the ocean bottom and held him afloat while attempting lifesaving breaths until ocean safety responders arrived.  The wipeout caused Geiselman’s airway to fill with saltwater while also rendering him unconscious and leaving him lying on the reef below.

Ocean Safety Officers Jason Bitzer and Perry Turnbull were first on-scene to assist with recovering the still unconscious Geiselman and brought him to the shore.  He was taken to the hospital where he made a full recovery and was released two days later.

Botha was born in Cape Town in 1981, and became a professional bodyboarder at the age of 15.  He won his first world title at the age of 17 and his second at 18, winning both the Global Organization of Bodyboarding World Tour Series and the Pipeline World Championship.

Photo credit: U.S. Coast Guard