Actress Lena Dunham was rescued by professional surfer Laird Hamilton when she ran into trouble during a charity paddle board race in New York on Saturday (01Aug15).

The Girls star was taking part in the Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink event to raise money for breast cancer research when she drifted off course.

Surf star Hamilton saw the actress was in trouble and went to her rescue, helping her eventually cross the finish line.

Dunham shared a picture of the dramatic rescue in a post on her Instagram.com page and added in a caption, "It's hard to tell from this blurry shot, but this is an image of Laird Hamilton coming to save me. He is literally King Triton and as I struggled to complete BCRF's (Breast Cancer Research Foundation's) Paddle for Pink (an amazing event to support breast cancer research) he appeared as if from the ocean's depths and guided me to the finish line.

"I kept screaming 'Will I make it?!' like we were in a disaster movie. He said 'Yes, Lena, we will.' Ladies, there are still a few heroes we can count on... Thank you Laird."

A post-paddle afterparty featured a performance by Nile Rodgers and Chic and guests included Gwyneth Paltrow and Jane Krakowski.