The Costa Rica Surf Federation released the news on how 8 year-old surfer Ricardo Ferri Lara, was able to rescue a 6 year-old girl who was dragged out by the current in Playa Cocles in the South Caribbean of Costa Rica.

Apparently the 6-year-old French girl was enjoying the beach with her family, her parents and two sisters, but in a quick moment the girl was dragged by the current towards the place were “Ricky” as he is known, was surfing, the young athlete realized what was happening and got hold of the girl and pulled her on his board.

At that moment, surf instructors in the area realized what was happening and helped Ricky take the girl back to safety.

“The family had the three girls with them, but this one got into the current , today Cocles had strong currents no one realized, my son (Ricky) was the first one to notice and when I turned to him I saw that the girl was already on his surfboard. The instructors immediately went to assist him”, explained Lara Busby, a community leader in Puerto Viejo and mother of Ricardo.

“Luckily my son surfs well and knows the currents of this beach, this helped him at this moment, but the girl spoke French and my son didn’t understand a word”, added Lara.

When Ricky was asked about his reaction he answered: “It’s what gentlemen do”.

Source: Federación Costarricense de Surf.