"Nothing about the day was normal,'' Tony Denley said after receiving a police award yesterday for his part in the rescue of 21 Columba College pupils caught in a rip near Purakaunui earlier this year.
The 32-year-old bricklayer said he had decided to take the week off work to focus on building his own house at Osborne, with the help of his building friends Tom Leckie and Dillon Ryan.
The trio decided to take a smoko break and go surfing, and he said it was just pure luck they decided the waves were best at Canoe Beach, near Purakaunui.
He said they would not normally be off work, they would not normally go surfing in the middle of the day and, even if they did go surfing, they could have chosen any number of beaches at which to surf.
''But we chose this beach because it had good surf.
''It was the day we never expected. Everything just lined up.''
It was March 1 and Columba College was holding a bonding day at the beach for 84 year 9 pupils when a large group of the girls got caught in a rip and was swept out to sea.
Mr Denley, Mr Leckie and Mr Ryan saw the girls were in trouble and used their surfboards to transport the girls to safety.
Columba College teachers Joanne Weggery and Julie McMahon also rescued many of the girls, ensuring they reached the safety of the beach.
Purakaunui farmer Richard Hill played a key role by taking his four-wheel-drive down to the beach to assist with logistics and with transporting equipment along the sand tracks.
For their bravery and courage, the six were awarded the district commander's certificate of appreciation at a ceremony at the Dunedin Central Police Station yesterday.
A Water Safety New Zealand hero award was also given to the five rescuers.
On behalf of the group, Mr Denley said they were honoured, but humbled by the award.
''It's an honour to be recognised for a situation we were put in.
''We're just real glad that there were no fatalities.
''It was a great show of community teamwork.''
Southern District Commander Superintendent Andrew Coster said without the actions and courage of the surfers in assisting the girls to safety, the outcome could have been tragic, with a high likelihood of loss of life.
Water Safety New Zealand chief executive officer Matt Claridge said the quick thinking and ''heroic actions'' of the five who went into the water to rescue the girls, ensured lives were saved.
''They are all deserving recipients of our hero award.''
Other awards presented at the ceremony were:
District commander's commendation, Const Jon-Paul Tremain; area commander's commendation, Sgt Kevin Davidson, Sgt Chris MacAulay, Const Jonathan Airey; Area commander's certificate of appreciation, Karen Wispinski, Luke Watson, Megan Garrett; certificate of service, Snr Const Heather Rei (retired); certificate of promotion, Insp Jason Guthrie, Insp Melanie Aitken, Det Snr Sgt Malcolm Inglis, Snr Sgt Mark Crawford; 35-year long service badge and good conduct badge, Dianne Kernahan; 28-year long service and good conduct badge, Sharron Carr; 21-year long service and good conduct badge, Lou Brown; 21-year clasp: Det Iain Ferguson, Snr Const Paul Anderson, Snr Const Stephen Griffiths, Snr Const Max Holt; 14-year long service and good conduct badge: Jacqualine Hibbard, Ruth Kennedy; 35-year long service and good conduct medal: Insp Melanie Aitken, Sgt Christopher MacAulay, Sgt Tony Ritchie, Snr Const Andrew Camp (plus Canterbury earthquake award), Snr Const Karl Hemmingsen, Snr Const Brett Davidson, Const Stuart Taylor.
