Last weekend, South African body boarder Andrea Botha proved himself to be a hero by risking his own life to stop fellow surfer and Florida native Evan Geiselman from drowning.

The pair were among many surfers at the notorious big wave at Pipeline, on the North Shore of Hawaii when Geiselman pulled into a monster wave that had no exit. It duly chewed him up and spat him out.

It’s an absolute nightmare scenario for anybody that dabbles in big wave riding. After the initial slam, Geiselman had to endure a possible head injury, and being held underwater by three further gigantic waves.

However, 35 year old Botha had clearly donned his metaphorical shining armour that morning, and risked his own life to get to Geiselman’s helpless body as it was being battered by white water.

The two-time world bodyboard champion spotted Geiselman’s board, but without the rider anywhere in sight. Risking his own safety. Botha swam directly into the impact zone – the place where waves crach back down into the sea – to save another humans life.

Diving down into the water, Botha pulled Geiselman’s body to the surface before administering mouth-to-mouth, all while taking wave-after-wave to his own head.

Lifeguards then reached the pair in the water as Botha fought to keep Geiselman above the surface. Along with Botha, the lifeguards got the victim to the beach where he was resuscitated before being taken to a nearby Hospital.