Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1 Episode 5 Recap: XXL

From shark attacks to dangerous surfing conditions, Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1 Episode 5, “XXL,” never lets the lifeguarding team catch a break.

With a beach as beautiful as the North Shore, it’s no wonder tourists plan their trips around the surf season.

Unfortunately, they can’t always predict if the beach will be closed. As they prepare for crazy weather on the radar, Laka, Kainalu, and Hina scan the beach before heading to their daily assignments.

It’s a good thing they do because the group spots a lone man floating in the ocean, waving for help. Springing into action, Laka and Kainalu swim out to the man while Hina calls for backup on land.

What seems like a simple rescue takes a dark turn when the man, brought to shore with a cut on his head, starts rambling about his daughter and a boat.

Once again proving their job is never as simple as it seems, the pair go back out into the water and find a boat tipped over with a little girl on it.

After successfully saving both the man and his daughter, the North Shore team rushes to work. Captain Jennings announces that the beach will be Code Black for the remainder of the day.

For those unfamiliar with surf terminology like myself, Code Black means no one is allowed to leave the shoreline unless given permission by a lifeguard.

This seems like the best possible course of action for the team and the public, considering the beach is seeing record swells of 40 to 60 feet.

Despite the dangerous day ahead, everyone is shocked to learn that Em has booked the day off to enjoy the surf given she is experienced with the North Shore turf.

After five episodes, it’s surprising to see how much Emily has grown. She has become more confident in herself and her choices, even though she’s still obsessed with work.

Kainalu is also forced to take the day off after his father requests that he be a tour guide for a wealthy family with whom his dad wants to do business.

He wants to stay and work, but realizing his father controls everything in his life (his house, truck, job), Kainalu has no choice but to leave the team a man down.

Back on the beach, Laka takes on the role of acting lieutenant in Emily’s place, so he and Jennings split up the rescue teams to monitor anyone approved to go out into the water.

Given the size of the waves, the lifeguards are strict about who can go out.

However, when Jennings’s daughter shows up with her boyfriend Noah, claiming he’s an experienced surfer, things grow complicated for the team.

Whether Jennings tries to get back in his daughter’s good books or wants to see her boyfriend fail, he allows the kid to surf.

Taking yet another risky gamble, Jennings also decides to bring Hina out to monitor the surf on the jetski with him after she claims she’s ready for more responsibility.

Thankfully, Noah knows how to surf and is able to crush the first wave he catches. Unfortunately, during his second attempt, he lost his balance, fell off his board, and hit his head on a rock.

Hina and Jennings jump into action, riding the jet ski to the scene and successfully bringing Noah back to shore, where he receives medical care.

If this show teaches viewers anything, it’s that on every excellent rescue, there’s another close call.

That moment comes quickly when a professional surfer and friend of the North Shore team, Rocky, enters the water. Despite his years of experience, the waves hit Rocky at an angle that sends him flying off his board.

The current traps his board, pulling him underwater. His lifejacket string won’t pull to inflate, bringing him safely to the surface.

Hina and Jennings are the first to respond. It’s difficult to spot someone under the waves, but they locate Rocky after he loses consciousness, and Hina pulls him onto the jetski with her.

As they race back to shore, a deadly wave catches up with the group, and Rocky slips out of Hina’s arms and back into the water. Despite Jennings’s orders to wait for him to turn the jetski around, Hina jumps in, hoping to save Rocky.

She means well. However, Hina’s actions put more strain on the team, as they have to rescue her first before Rocky since she’s visible. Unfortunately, during that time, the team loses sight of Rocky, and after four hours of searching, he’s presumed dead.

Feeling like a fool for trusting a rookie and now mourning another loss, Jennings loses it on Hina back at the tower, blaming her for everything in front of the rest of the team.

Despite all the loss and heartbreak that Jennings and the team have gone through, Em finally snaps at Jennings for taking his anger out on a rookie. She gives him an ultimatum: get his life together or quit his job as captain. 

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What did you think of this episode of Rescue: HI-Surf? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Rescue: HI-Surf airs Mondays at 9/8c on FOX.

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