By Una Murray

Gregg Gardener, Michael Osborne, and Mesha Sternthall

Michael Osborne, an Activities Officer and Lifeguard at the Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji, put his certification as a Silver Medallion Surf Rescuer to good use. Last Friday, Michael was making his rounds at the property when he noticed a couple surfing in the large and dangerous surf break fronting the hotel. He asked a security guard about the couple and found out that they were from a nearby resort. Out of concern, he kept a watchful eye on them until he noticed the man get hit by a large set and dragged out to sea through a channel in the reef. The woman was frantically trying to search for him when Michael reached her in his canoe. She directed Michael to where the man was last seen, and he quickly paddled over to look for him. As the woman was following him on her surfboard, she got hit by another large wave and was also dragged out to sea. Michael managed to rescue her and get her to safety, and he immediately returned to rescue the man who had gotten caught in a dangerous whirlpool. While getting them to safety, Michael had to struggle to paddle the canoe against the strong currents.

The couple, Mesha Sternthall, who is a hotel concierge at the Sands of Kahana Resort on Maui, and Gregg Gardener, who is a surf instructor here in Hawaii, highly praised Michael for his outstanding efforts in rescuing them. On behalf of Outrigger Enterprises, we’d like to thank Michael for a job well done!