Kamila Diaz joins Lantana Ocean Rescue chief Marc Fichtner as he receives an award from the Town Council for helping to rescue her after a shark had severed the leash to her surfboard. Photos provided
By Patrick Sherry
A Lantana lifeguard walked away with an award instead of a shark bite after helping rescue a surfer.
The Lantana Town Council, at its Nov. 10 meeting, presented Marc Fichtner with the award for his actions that helped save a surfer while a shark was in the water.
Kamila Diaz was surfing at the Lantana Municipal Beach on Oct. 8 when a 5- to 6-foot shark severed the leash to her surfboard. Luckily, Fichtner, who is chief of the Lantana Ocean Rescue Division, was out doing rough water training and noticed Diaz in distress. He jumped into action and returned her to land safely.
Fichtner helped Diaz return to shore at the Lantana Municipal Beach after she met him halfway.
“Not many people go into the water where there are sharks knowingly,” said Eddie Crockett, the town’s director of public services. “This is what he did without even thinking about it.”
Diaz has been surfing in Lantana for almost three years in all conditions. She said that what happened was very unexpected.
“I’m glad that I knew how to handle the situation at first and managed to somewhat swim back, and then Marc helped me and the rest of the lifeguards with everything else,” Diaz said. “I’m just really grateful that the worst was avoided, and I’m still alive.”
Fichtner thanked the council for the award and praised Diaz for her bravery, which led to her meeting him halfway in the water. He mentioned how his team trains for these situations often, but they are very rare.
“I’m really honored,” said Fichtner. “We always, as lifeguards, talk about two things: there’s a plane crash in front of the tower or a shark attack. Maybe you see one in your career of 20, 30 years. I’m glad that my training kicked in, my partner’s training kicked in, and we’re able to do what we do.”
Fichtner also said his team has received the U.S. Lifesaving Association Advanced Agency Certification. The certification recognizes and encourages high training standards for lifeguard agencies.
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