Patea brothers Parariki and Elton Whakatutu shrug off any accolades about being heroes. They say everyone thought they were idiots.
They were the most experienced surfers present on January 11 when a fishing boat smashed on to the southern mole as it tried to cross the bar at the Patea River mouth in a 5ft (1.5m) swell.
The brothers were on the balcony of the Patea Board Riders Club at Mana Bay, watching the boats come in. They said 20 boats had gone out, but they were on the alert and knew something would happen. They rescued one or two people every year, they said.
That day three boats came in at the same time, but the engine of the one that smashed on the mole had failed as it came over the bar.
"We ran. We did not blink. We grabbed our boards because we knew it was a matter of seconds to save those guys."
The brothers knew where the rips were. They have surfed this coast since they were at primary school. They also had mates on the north mole and felt safe knowing someone was looking out for them. But there was no time to think as adrenaline coursed through their bodies.
The fishermen were thrown from their boat when it hit the mole. Terry, from Alton, was smashed on to the mole and was unconscious when Parariki reached him. He was 100m past the south mole and was on his way out to sea.
"I asked him if he had family, and he was able to answer yes. There was no way he was not going to get home to his wife."
The two were now in the rip, drifting down to Whenuakura, and Parariki had him on his board, trying to keep him conscious.
Meanwhile, Elton was helping Dean, from Opunake, who was stuck against the south mole when his lifejacket hooked on to reinforcing wire. The fisherman had managed to get his jacket off before Elton reached him.
"I tried to bring him in but the tide was going out. We managed to catch a few waves in and ended up 200m down on the south beach."
Yesterday, the brothers were watching their own children as they surfed within Mana Bay - starting them young so they knew the coast and were safe, they said.
Terry was airlifted to Taranaki Base Hospital in a serious condition. He was discharged on Monday and went to thank Parariki for saving his life.
The Patea Board Riders Club meets every two months at the Mana Bay clubrooms.