David L. Allan saved Elizabeth Jamieson from drowning, Pebble Beach, California, December 13, 1995. Ms. Jamieson, 44, fell from the top of a cliff into Stillwater Cove, off Carmel Bay of the Pacific Ocean, and clung to a rock at the base of the cliff. Extremely turbulent as the result of a recent storm, the water contained strong currents and high waves, which broke against the jagged cliff and washed into its submerged caves. A surfer, Allan, 46, fisherman and teacher, spotted Ms. Jamieson while observing conditions. Although he had concluded that the water was too rough for surfing, he immediately donned his wetsuit and, securing his seven-foot surfboard, descended to the cove. Rather than take a direct course to Ms. Jamieson through breaking water along the cliff, Allan paddled seaward, then turned back to approach her. Both atop the surfboard, which was then largely submerged under their weight, Allan retraced his course to shore. Progress was slow in the breaking waves, Allan tiring as he paddled against the backwash. When they reached shore, others helped Ms. Jamieson to safety; she required hospital treatment. Allan was tired, but he recovered.
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