Former footballer Aaron Burgess' plans of a career in helping others was kick-started a little earlier than planned, when his day-time stroll down to the beach with his kids turned into a dramatic water rescue.
Mr Burgess, who was due to start police college in April, had gone down to Tomahawk Beach in Dunedin with his daughter Ruby, 4, and Max, 2, when they were approached by a woman who said her friend had gotten in trouble.
"I could see her 100 metres off the beach, just bobbin up and down," he said. "I looked around and there was no one else that could do it."
The father-of-two said instinct took over as he left his children with a woman, who called police, while he dove into the water to help the struggling swimmer.
Despite his brave actions Mr Burgess admitted it was a tough rescue, battling the rather strong rip to reach the panicked woman.