WAIMEA, Oahu — The Hawai‘i State Chapter of the American Red Cross and Central Pacific Bank have named Waimea Lifeguard Team, Kerry Atwood, Mark Dombroski, Tau Hannemann, Mike Menkewicz and Guy Pere as the American Red Cross True Blue Heroes
WAIMEA, Oahu — The Hawai‘i State Chapter of the American Red Cross and Central Pacific Bank have named Waimea Lifeguard Team, Kerry Atwood, Mark Dombroski, Tau Hannemann, Mike Menkewicz and Guy Pere as the American Red Cross True Blue Heroes for the month of July, states a press release.
The Waimea Lifeguard Team is being honored for their heroism in the category of “In the Line of Duty.”
On Feb. 5, Super Bowl Sunday, the team battled 50 to 70 foot wave faces to save and protect the lives of hundreds of surfers and swimmers at Waimea Bay.
The lifeguards worked tirelessly and risked their own lives to rescue numerous people, sometimes two people at once, the release states. In addition, the team used their skills and expertise to perform numerous measures to ensure the safety of the hundreds of surfers, swimmers and spectators.
“Saving one life is incredible in itself, rescuing more than 50 people in a day under pounding surf is incomprehensible and a testament to the mental toughness and physical endurance of each member of this team,” states a Red Cross spokesman in the news release.
“For their response over and beyond, and then some, under extreme conditions, we are indeed honored to recognize the Waimea Lifeguard Team as our True Blue Heroes,” said American Red Cross Director Stephany Sofos in the release. “Described as one of the most treacherous surf spots in the world, these lifeguards risk their lives day in and day out, every day, to save the lives of others.”
