A university surf team coach is being called a hero for helping rescue a father and daughter who were caught in a rip current last weekend in Southern California.
Lucas Taub, head coach of Westcliff University's surf team, told ABC News he was coaching at the Western Surfing Association Oceanside Harbor South Jetty surf contest on March 15 when he noticed Chris Greene, a father of four, and his 6-year-old daughter Coco struggling in the water.
"I looked down, and I saw a little girl struggling, kind of bobbing up and down in the water, and right away, I knew something was wrong," Taub recalled. "And then I saw her dad trailing."
Taub said he didn't hesitate to jump into the water off the coast of Oceanside, California, fully clothed, to assist.
"I ran kind of backwards, took off my shoes, took my phone out of my pocket, took off my hat, and just dove head-first," he recounted, adding that it looked like Coco was "swallowing a lot of water."
In bystander video, recorded by Kim Rose and shared with ABC News, Taub can be seen jumping into the water, swimming toward Greene and his daughter, and helping them toward the shore.
Greene told ABC News he had initially tried to rescue his daughter himself, after seeing her getting pulled out to sea, but was exhausted from swimming by the time he reached her. He said when he saw Taub in the water, he couldn't have been more relieved.
"I looked up, and Lucas was right there, and he jumped in, like, a second later -- and once he got to us, you know, I knew we were good," Greene said.
He added, "I've been around the water my whole life, and I know that there's seconds to spare [in situations like this] ... I get a little emotional because I honestly didn't think I was gonna make it. I was too far away, and [Coco] was already in over her head."
Greene said he is familiar with Oceanside Harbor and even grew up surfing in the area. He said he suspects Coco was playing in low-tide water when she was unexpectedly and suddenly swept out by a current.
He called Taub an "awesome human being" and an angel to him and his daughter after he rushed to their aid.
Westcliff University President and CEO Dr. Anthony Lee praised Taub's actions in a statement to ABC News.
"In this event, Lucas did more than serve as a coach, he brought our values to life in the most meaningful way," Lee said in part. "His actions remind us that leadership is ultimately about caring for humanity and stepping forward when someone needs you most. We are incredibly proud to have Lucas as part of the Westcliff community."
Taub said he usually coaches on the beach but just so happened to be walking along the jetty that day and feels happy he was simply in the right place at the right time in order to help others in need.
"I had one job in mind, and that job was to bring those human beings to safety, especially being a surf coach and working with the youth. It was a no-brainer," he said.
