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Surf Coach Who Rescued Father and 6-Year-Old Off Oceanside Jetty to Receive Fire Department Honor

Bystander video of the March 15 rescue fueled praise, renewing focus on rip-current safety.

Overview

  • Officials in Oceanside said they plan to present Lucas Taub a heroism award later this year.
  • Taub, head coach of Westcliff University's surf team, jumped in fully clothed during the March 15 Western Surfing Association contest at the Oceanside Harbor jetty to reach Chris Greene and his 6-year-old daughter, Coco.
  • Rip currents are fast, narrow channels that pull water away from shore, and experts say to float, swim parallel to the beach to exit the flow, then angle back in near lifeguards.
  • Greene said he became exhausted trying to keep Coco afloat and credits Taub with saving them, and neither suffered serious injuries.
  • The family and the coach have stayed in close touch since, and Greene noted the scare came on what would have been his late son's birthday.