Scary Rip Current Rescue Earns Padre Island Surfer a Reward

Rip current risks along the South Texas Coast have been moderate to high over the past week as a very stormy weather pattern has been with us for the second half of the month now.

Another reminder of how dangerous these currents are happened on Sunday evening out on Padre Island. KIIItv.com's staff shared the story of surfer Lyra Kelly, who witnesses two swimmers in trouble out in the waters near the Packery Channel jetties.

Sunday Night on Padre Island

Lyra Kelly heard a voice calling for help out on the water off Padre Island on Sunday evening. Lyra told KIIItv that she wasn't sure what she heard at first, but was suddenly overcome with a feeling that there may be people in need of help. As she paddled closer to the voice she could soon hear a male calling for help. Kelly was able to reach the swimmer and have him grab onto her surfboard and then help them make their way back to shore.

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A Reward for a Good Deed

With Texans anxious for sun and fun after the past year, Padre Island has been a pretty busy place since March and the crowds continue to grow. When an incident happens in the water there are many folks there to either witness what happened or to spread the word after something like this happens. Word of the rescue passed quickly and soon after an anonymous donor gifted Lyra Kelly a brand new surfboard for her act of kindness. It would turn out that the unidentified 16-year-old male that Kelly rescued had recently lost a family member to the same rip currents just days before. Thank goodness she was nearby over the weekend.

Rip Current Risk for May 26th - Moderate

Rip currents can push even the strongest of swimmers away from the shoreline and into deep waters in a matter of moments. If you are going to swim, select a beach with a lifeguard and swim nearest to them. If you are ever caught in a rip current the best thing you can do is relax and float. Do not try to swim against the current. If you can swim in a direction that follows the shoreline while doing your best to shout and wave for help.