Three Bermudian lifeguards who risked treacherous conditions to rescue scores of people in one day are to be honoured with bravery awards.

Prince Michael of Kent will present Certificate of Merit Awards to the lifeguards who rescued 40 swimmers from the water at Horseshoe Bay in just eight hours during September last year.

The awards will be presented at the Commonwealth Council Meeting at South Africa House in Trafalgar Square on September 17.

The three Bermudians will be joined by just one other recipient from all Commonwealth nations around the world in receiving the award.

The prestigious awards are presented to those who go above and beyond the call of duty. In granting the awards, the Commonwealth Council recognised the extraordinary efforts of the lifeguards.

On Wednesday, September 20, 2006, the lifeguards stationed at Horseshoe Bay faced dangerous high surf conditions and moving flash rip currents caused by Hurricane Helene.

Lifeguards Alistair Jack, Jay Rewalt and Richard Collis saved the swimmers over an eight hour period starting at 10 a.m., including five in the space of 20 minutes.

A large number of swimmers were caught in the strong riptides which dragged them out to sea and all were unable to reach the shore without being rescued by the lifeguards.

Because of certain strips of sand on Horseshoe Bay, riptides were created with some being more than 100 metres long.

Alistair said: "It was chaos for 20 minutes and when we got the people back on the shore those on the beach gave us a spontaneous round of applause and were cheering loudly, it was quite surreal."

He added: "I felt exhausted, as if I'd been in a fight and I was sore from the waves that were continually hitting me. I had bruises all over my body."

Lifeguard Rangers Supervisor Craig Burt said: "Forty is the most rescues that have ever been carried out in one day in my 20 years service in Bermuda. Some of those who were caught out were strong swimmers but could not cope with the riptides."

The day following the rescues, the same three lifeguards saved a further 15 people from the sea at Horseshoe Bay.

The lifeguard service comes under the Department of Parks within the Ministry of the Environment, Telecommunications and E-Commerce.

Neletha Butterfield, Minister of the Environment, Telecommunications and E-Commerce, said: "It makes me very proud when I hear about the outstanding service provided by our lifeguards to local residents and visitors to Bermuda's beaches.

"I was thrilled to hear that the efforts of these three lifeguards are to be recognized by Prince Michael of Kent. These three young men are true Bermudian heroes."