Son saves father during frightening surf rescue at Killer Dana

What started out as a regular day of father-son surfing turned into a fight for survival when an unexpected huge set pushed Keone Patterson and his father, Timmy, into dangerous inside waves.

Patterson had spent the morning surfing with his dad at Strands Point before the pair took a boat out near Killer Dana. During one of the biggest swells in years, they were caught out in a seemingly endless series of waves.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of city of Dana Point

(L-R) Mayor John Gabbard, Timmy Patterson and Keone Patterson

“Out of nowhere, just this massive set, probably 30 waves-plus, rolled in,” Patterson told Dana Point City Councilmembers during a recent recognition ceremony on September 15. “We got pushed from all the way out, all the way into kind of that point of no return.”

The two had been riding large boards in waves with faces estimated at 15 to 16 feet. Timmy, who is an experienced surfer, took several waves on the head and became exhausted. His son paddled to him, then realized they needed to abandon their boards and swim, Patterson said.

“I figured I needed to get us both to shore safely,” Patterson said. “The whole time I was kind of holding on to (him) and making sure (he was) all right.”

It took about 15 minutes for them to reach the shore. Patterson kept talking to his dad between waves, telling him, “We’ve got to get under here,” as they ducked beneath the breaking surf.

Timmy added he had surfed the area for more than 50 years and had never encountered a set like it.

“Where he got me from was not the place you want to be,” he recalled.

Timmy lost consciousness after they reached shore. Orange County lifeguards and paramedics took over, with Patterson specifically crediting lifeguard Jason Young for directing the response and beginning CPR.

“I woke up to firemen and lifeguards and just fragments of time,” Timmy said. “To have him save my life, to do what he did, was incredibly honorable for me. It was like, wow, this is what you teach your kids, and he did it full circle.”

Timmy was hospitalized about an hour later and was released after a few days.

Mayor John Gabbard presented Patterson with a certificate of recognition on behalf of the council, praising his bravery and calm determination during the incident.

“First and foremost, we’re thankful that you’re OK,” Gabbard told Timmy. “As frightening as that must have been, we are so thankful that you’re going to be OK.”

“On behalf of the City Council, we want to thank you,” Gabbard said to Patterson. “We’re very proud to honor you tonight.”