The scene was chaotic on the shore of the Opa River. A young woman darted from her kayak and raced to a large boulder along the riverbank. She stopped abruptly and shifted her gaze up the river. A boy in a yellow life jacket was heading her way, adrift in the middle of a raging rapid that was flowing directly toward a large, undercut boulder. Her expression was deadly serious as she retrieved the end of the rope from her rescue bag. She would have one chance to save him, and she knew her throw had to be perfect.

The water struck the boulder with such force that spray was thrust skyward, creating a dark and threatening mood on the river. As the boy neared the large boulder, he shifted his legs to try to fend off the rock. The rope arched skyward on a perfect trajectory and the yellow bag landed directly in his hands. What happened next was surreal to everyone who witnessed the events on the river that fateful day.