This past Sunday there was a bit of swell around the Dunedin area of New Zealand, and even after he was warned against paddling out, a German surfer decided to have a quick dip, landing himself in this situation – smashed up against a seawall at St Clair Beach.
He survived the experience and made it out safely thanks to the efforts of bystander Jeff Patton, who (as you see in the video) tossed him a lifeline rope and helped him up the stairway despite the pounding surf.
Apparently Jeff, who’s a local surfer, has taken to keeping a rope in his car due to having to rescue multiple other surfers over the years in the same area.
Another bystander, Scott James, told Fairfax Media New Zealand the following: “I thought he was a goner, but by a miracle he got back up and on his board, and gave it another go to get out of trouble. He was very weak by then, he couldn’t paddle.”
Scott is a former St Clair resident who was in town to compete in the national surfing championships. “He had a learner board so Jeff warned him to not go surfing as it wasn’t a good day,” he told Fairfax. “But if he entered the water to do so farther [down the beach].”
The German surfer had only been in the water for 10 minutes when he was pinned up against the seawall.
According to 3 News, Dunedin lifeguards have been calling for action to save St Clair Beach, which is becoming more and more dangerous due to erosion.
It has also been reported that two other foreigners had to be assisted from the surf the day before.
If you can’t handle it, don’t paddle out – hell, even if you’re not 100 per cent sure, don’t paddle out. Or at least bring a mate who you know is more than competent, and willing to help if you end up in a sticky situation.