Emily Schofield pulled 25 people from rough seas at Surfers Paradise late last year

A COURAGEOUS 17-year-old went down to the beach to enjoy a day off last December, but ended up rescuing hapless swimmers.

WHEN Emily Schofield pulled 25 people from rough seas at Surfers Paradise late last year, there was just one thought going through her head: “I just wanted to make sure no one died.”

The plucky 17-year-old had gone down to the beach to enjoy a day off last December, but a powerful rip meant she spent it rescuing hapless swimmers. The Year 11 student paddled out on her board through the swell for more than four hours to pull people to the shore at the popular tourist beach.

“I was just concentrating on getting everyone to safety,” Emily said. “I didn’t want anything worse than swallowing a few mouthfuls of water to happen.”

Emily was recognised when she received the inaugural Surf Life Saving Australia’s Rescue of the Month award. Now her bravery has resulted in a nomination for a Pride of Australia award.

The episode made her realise how quickly people can get into danger.

“It opened my eyes to the need to pay 110 per cent attention, rather than just 100 per cent, because you never know when someone could drown,” she said.