Newport Beach lifeguards and a bystander rescued eight people from rough surf and fast-moving currents off the Balboa Peninsula this week.
About 5 p.m. Tuesday, lifeguard Michael Newmaster realized a strong rip current was forming near 15th Street and about to pull a group of bodyboarders out to sea.
Newmaster first yelled a warning to three who were close enough to the beach to stand and walk to shore.
As Newmaster then got ready to jump in the water, retired Newport Beach lifeguard Alan Buchanan offered to help.
The two grabbed flotation buoys and began swimming toward the distressed bodyboarders.
Buchanan rescued one of the victims, and Newmaster was able to reach three others and help them cling to the buoy.