Surfers. We act all tough and grumpy and quiet. But when shit hits the fan in the ocean, a surfer is really the first person we expect to rescue someone in distress. Such was the case when celebrated surf cinematographer (and surfer) John Gordon selflessly paddled out to help a swimmer in serious distress at Fingal Head, New South Wales near the border with the Australian state of Queensland. And a drone captured the rescue.

“It was like underwater jujitsu,” Gordon told local media. The 61-year-old saved Olivia Titor, who was struggling in breaking surf against the rocky point. She was apparently thrown into those rocks over and over. Gordon used his board as a lifesaving device and kept it all together.

Gordon has been working in the surf industry for years as an image maker and has always had a heart of gold. In 2019 he spearheaded a campaign with Joel Parkinson to help support an underprivileged family in South Africa. “Gordo” shot the Championship Tour for over two decades and comes from a family of journalists. He also filmed local news in Australia for years.