"Crazy situation yesterday," Virostko wrote on Instagram. "I saw the boat coming as I was outside dodging a big middle peak set. He zoomed by me and I saw he had his family on the boat. As I watched him drive straight into a big white wash I knew they went down and it was time to paddle in as quickly as possible to help save the family."
Central Fire District Division Chief Patrick Winters said first responders rushed to the well-known surf spot around 9:03 a.m. after receiving reports of two surfers - both men in their early 20s - in distress as a result of the high tide and relentless swell. Upon arrival, rescue crews discovered that one of the surfers had made it past the line of breaking waves and appeared safe while the other was caught in the tumult.