Lifesaver: Roxy Louw - the real life Baywatch babe
Posted on 11/07/2007 11:14:05 AM PST by Stoat
A British family was rescued from a sinking ship in South Africa by a real-life Baywatch babe when a teenage model turned into a Pamela Anderson-style lifesaver.
Professional surfer-turned-model Roxy Louw spotted the family's sinking charter boat from her private balcony overlooking the upmarket Clifton Beach in Cape Town, South Africa. She phoned the coastguard - then donned her wetsuit and ran towards the beach.
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Lifesaver: Roxy Louw - the real life Baywatch babe
The 19-year-old, who was voted sixth place in FHM magazine's 100 Sexiest Women in the World table last year, dived into the water with a buoy handed to her on the white sandy shore and swam towards the boat.
On the stricken craft were Welsh couple Gareth and Jane Evans and their 11-year-old son Josh, husband and wife Justin and Cara Watt from Pretoria, and three crew members.
The five passengers had been taken on a trip round Robben Island on the boat when, according to reports, kelp got stuck in the boat's turbines bringing it to a halt. Water then poured into the V-Craft Jet boat, causing it to sink.
Lifeboats, police helicopter, ambulance, fire fighters and beach rescue service joined in the rescue off Clifton, which is one of Cape Town's most exclusive resorts where properties can cost millions of pounds.
It faces the Atlantic Ocean and the shoreline has numerous signs warning bathers about sharks.
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Roxy Louw: The surfer turned model came to the rescue
Miss Louw said: "I stood on the balcony of my little flat on the beach, and saw a boat sinking and people in the water.
"I phoned the NSRI (RNLI equivalent), ran to my room, put on my wetsuit and ran to the water. I didn't even have time to grab my surfboard.
"Although I'm not a lifesaver, I know the ocean and I'm quite a strong swimmer, because of my surfing.
"Your adrenaline, your instinct takes over. I got smashed against a rock, but my mind just repeated: 'Save the people. Save the people',."
Miss Louw was joined in the rescue by two lifesavers who had been off duty but preparing to go for a swim. One of them, Shane Fascio, who is also a paramedic, said two of the crew were struggling below the surf line and had to be pulled ashore. All the passengers wore lifebelts making their rescue easier, said Fascio. Ms Watt said although they'd lost possessions on board the craft, they were very grateful to be alive. "The boat started to sink and we had to swim. The rescue service people were fantastic. The surfer also helped us to swim to the beach."
After the rescue Mrs Evans said: "It's our last days here, but at least the dinner table conversation's going to be very interesting.
"Josh didn't say much, but he was very pleased that he had a lifejacket. He was brilliant."
She added: "I'm glad to be alive, even if I lost a shoe in the process."
Roxy Louw is a regular feature in South African gossip columns. She is the daughter of former Springbok rugby player Rob Louw and was an accomplished hockey player before she took up surfing. She has modelled for Oakley sunglasses.
The Waterfront Boat Company which runs the cruises off the Cape Town coast said the Evans, who live in Cardiff, were flying home after yesterday's drama. Yesterday Ms Louw and Mrs Watt were reunited on the beach where the Pretoria woman expressed her gratitude.
I must be getting old. I see Roxy Louw and I just hope she gets a good education and stays out of trouble. She seems like a nice girl who will make her parents proud.
That’s what I was thinking, “Sandlot.”
I would wish to politely suggest that it's not so much 'getting old' but 'getting wiser' :-)
I see Roxy Louw and I just hope she gets a good education and stays out of trouble. She seems like a nice girl who will make her parents proud.
She seems to be off to an excellent start in life and as long as she can keep away from the numerous bad parts of the celebrity culture I'm guessing that she will do just fine. Her father is a legendary rugby star and I'm sure he is quite familiar with the pitfalls of celebrity and fame. He will probably be able to guide her quite well.
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