Teens return home, in ‘shock’ over attention for saving drowning couple

globalnews.ca:

A pair of teenage girls from Montreal were soaking in humble gratitude when they arrived home after they saved a couple from drowning in Barbados.

Emma Bassermann, 14, and Zoe Meklensek-Ireland, 13, landed at Montreal’s Trudeau airport late Wednesday night. They both say they were surprised at how much attention the rescue has drawn in the past few days.

“It was a big shock,” Emma said in an interview after their plane landed.

“Because for us, you know, it’s something everyone would do if they see someone in danger. They would go and help them too.”

Emma and Zoe are being hailed as heroes after they dove into choppy waters off a beach on the south side of Barbados when they heard a cry for help.

Emma, a competitive swimmer who trains with the Dorval swim club, was part of a 10-day training camp in the Carribean country. Zoe’s father Chuck Meklensek is the the national development coach for the Dorval swim club and Zoe trained in the sport until last year.

The teen girls swam out nearly 50 feet away from their spot to help London, England resident Belinda Stone back to shore. Stone had swam out but was caught in a riptide and there were no lifeguards on duty at the resort.

After she was safely brought back to the beach, Emma and Zoe realized Stone’s husband also needed help — and they swam out with a boogie board to rescue him too.

Zoe said at first she was shocked and a bit confused that their actions were going viral online, but she is grateful that it has had a positive impact.

The girls remain in touch with the Stones.

“We’re friends on Facebook,” Zoe said. “They made a great post about us, which we’re so grateful for.”

For Stone, she said her “lasting memory of Emily and Zoe is how calm, serene, poised and capable