Kitesurfers Heroically Save Father and Daughter Swept Away From Shore

Evening was falling in Aegean Espanomi Bay near Thessaloniki, Greece, when Greek kitefoiler Anastassis Garipis and Spanish wingfoiler Iset Segura found themselves in exactly the right place at the right time.

Out on the water, they spotted something alarming—a father and his 10-year-old daughter drifting far from shore, caught in strong currents and struggling to stay afloat.

Without hesitation, the two athletes sprang into action.

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@wingfoilracing Proof that heroes come in all forms – sometimes with kites and wings. Last night around 8 PM near Thessaloniki, Greece , something incredible happened. Spanish wingfoiler @isetsegura and Greek Formula Kite rider Anastassis Garipis teamed up. They gave crucial support to a family drifting far from shore, using their boards to help them stay afloat until the rescue team arrived. Amazing work, Iset and Anastassis! #wingfoil #wingfoiling #wingfoilworldcup #wingfoilracing #formulakite #MensKite #Womenskite #olympics #LA28 #worldsailing #sailorsforthesea #greece #thessaloníki ♬ Breaking News Background – Audio Infinity

Working together, they used their boards to reach the pair and keep them above water, giving them the support they needed until rescue teams could arrive. In a moment where every second mattered, their quick thinking and teamwork made all the difference.

Both the father and daughter—Hungarian nationals—were brought to safety.

What they did didn’t go unnoticed.

In a rare and historic move, Hungary awarded the young man and woman the country’s highest honor, the “Gold Medal of Honor.” It marked the first time foreign citizens had ever received the distinction.

During the ceremony, Hungary’s president praised their courage—not just for the lives they saved, but for showing “what real humanity means.”

Despite the recognition, both heroes remained humble.

Anastassis shared that the sea had taught him an important lesson: freedom comes with responsibility—the responsibility to bring everyone safely back to shore.

And Iset simply said that anyone would have done the same… that there is always a moment when our humanity shows itself.

But on that evening in Greece, it was their humanity that turned a dangerous situation into a story of survival—and a reminder that sometimes, the right people show up exactly when they’re needed most.