Posted on: Saturday, April 10, 2004

A helping hand at Maui beach

Advertiser Staff

LOS ANGELES — California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger helped a struggling bodyboarder to shore while on vacation with his family in Hawai'i, his office said yesterday.

Schwarzenegger, who has been on a 10-day getaway at the Four Seasons Resort on Maui, plunged into the role of lifeguard while dipping in the calm surf Wednesday.

The governor was swimming toward his wife, Maria Shriver, when he noticed a man "in distress in the water," clutching a bodyboard, about 100 yards offshore, said his spokeswoman in Sacramento, Margita Thompson.

"The governor could tell there was something wrong," said Thompson. "He asked him if he was all right. The man said he had cramps all over."

Schwarzenegger towed the man to safety, she said. She had no information on the ailing swimmer, who apparently walked away unaided.

On Maui, the Good Samaritan effort went largely unnoticed.

Maui County Police Sgt. Richard Suapaia said police had received no emergency calls regarding an endangered swimmer at the Four Seasons. Also, no report involving Schwarzenegger had been filed.

The resort, where standard rooms start at about $500 a night, does not have lifeguards on its beach.