The bystander who captured the dramatic video said Lucas Taub dropped everything in the middle of a surfing contest to save the pair.
He jumped into the water fully clothed, helping the girl and her father make it safely back to the jetty.
Taub coaches the Westcliff College surf team, and also mentors young surfers in the community.
The SoCal surfing coach was hailed a hero.
"Coach, Warrior, and now life saver," Westcliff College said in an Instagram post about Taub. "A true champion of character, Lucas has continuously given back to the community. From coaching young children, being an ambassador of surfing, leading @westcliffu_surf, and much more."