Three surfers who pulled Dunsborough surfer Phil Mummert from the water at Bunker Bay on July 31 last year have received one of Surf Life Saving WA's highest honours.
Alex Oliver, Liam Ryan and Jess Woolhouse were all awarded a gold medallion for Exceptional Bravery by SLSWA for rescuing Mr Mummert from a shark attack.
Mr Mummert, who nominated his fellow surfers and rescuers, said it was really epic that they received a gold medallion and got the recognition they deserved.
"What they did was pretty special and to see them get recognised from people who deal with that stuff all the time was amazing," he said.
"Without them I wouldn't be here.
"It was a very hectic situation and as humble as those guys are, it really means a lot for them to be recognised for what they did, it is really special.
"They are a really great bunch of guys."
When Mr Mummert was fending off a five metre great white with what remained of his surfboard, Mr Oliver was paddling over to help Mr Mummert pulling him up onto his board.
The two other surfers, Mr Ryan and Mr Woolhouse, also made their way over and the four paddled back into shore together staying with Mr Mummert until emergency services arrived on the scene.
Mr Oliver said he was honoured to receive the award and it was a humbling experience to be up there with a bunch of incredible people who had done amazing things.
"I was pretty surprised and taken back receiving the award, it is a massive honour, and a great thing to be a part of," he said.
"At the time it was pure instinct, I saw someone who needed help and helped them, the next thing it was all adrenaline from there.
"It was a big puppy that's for sure."
Mr Ryan said receiving the award was a humbling experience because you heard the stories of people who had saved others from the water in the last year.
"The attack happened really quickly, you do not think 'I am going to be a hero', and jump in. What happened, happened in a flash," he said.
"For your name to be mentioned alongside people who have done amazing things to help people out, some are good news stories like ours where everyone survives, there were others where people did not make it.
"There were about 40 people last year in Western Australia who lost their lives in the ocean, it puts it all in perspective to hear about the reality of the ocean.