It was a bleak morning about an hour after sun up on the Sunshine Coast but the wind was down compared to the forecast and the swell was up so I decided to sneak off for a surf. I left the wife asleep in bed, put the cartoons on for the Kids, loaded up the car and headed off to the Mooloolabba River Mouth to surf Point Cartwright. This is a great location for SUPs when the swell is up.

I should have read the signs that something was not good when I paddled out the river. It was very overcast, drizzling rain and the birds were bombing bait schools in the Mouth. As I go through the mouth I pass 4 or 5 floating old Tuna Heads that are making a nice bearly in the water. Thought to my self now is 'don't fall in'.
I paddled out the back and got some nice waves but the wash back from the rocks at Pt Cartwright was making it very bumpy. I decided to head across past the Mooloolaba rock groin to the bombie as it was much cleaner and as the tied was going out the waves were standing up nicely.

After a few waves I was heading back out when I saw an out of control monster about 20m to my left and 50 in front making a bee line straight at me. It would have to have been 7m long. I now felt like those bait fish and tried desperately to avoid it. As it approached me it went side on to the crest of the wave and flipped over me. I swam down as fast as I could to try and reach the safety of the bottom but it latched onto my board and reefed me back up and dragged me along.

I was now a victim to a MOOLOOLABA SURF BOAT ATTACK. I surfaced to find oars beating my head and the board on the other side of the up turned boat. I was trapped beside it as my leg rope went under the boat. The next wave from the set was coming so I ripped off the leg rope and swam down again.

I survived unhurt but my poor board never. I have left a message and email with the Mooloolaba Surf Club and asked would they pay for the repairs. Let's see if they do the honorable thing.

The scariest part of this tale is yet to come. I have to tell my wife. You see it was her board I took............

Swanie said...

It was a bleak morning about an hour after sun up on the Sunshine Coast but the wind was down compared to the forecast and the swell was up so I decided to sneak off for a surf. I left the wife asleep in bed, put the cartoons on for the Kids, loaded up the car and headed off to the Mooloolabba River Mouth to surf Point Cartwright. This is a great location for SUPs when the swell is up.

I should have read the signs that something was not good when I paddled out the river. It was very overcast, drizzling rain and the birds were bombing bait schools in the Mouth. As I go through the mouth I pass 4 or 5 floating old Tuna Heads that are making a nice bearly in the water. Thought to my self now is 'don't fall in'.
I paddled out the back and got some nice waves but the wash back from the rocks at Pt Cartwright was making it very bumpy. I decided to head across past the Mooloolaba rock groin to the bombie as it was much cleaner and as the tied was going out the waves were standing up nicely.

After a few waves I was heading back out when I saw an out of control monster about 20m to my left and 50 in front making a bee line straight at me. It would have to have been 7m long. I now felt like those bait fish and tried desperately to avoid it. As it approached me it went side on to the crest of the wave and flipped over me. I swam down as fast as I could to try and reach the safety of the bottom but it latched onto my board and reefed me back up and dragged me along.

I was now a victim to a MOOLOOLABA SURF BOAT ATTACK. I surfaced to find oars beating my head and the board on the other side of the up turned boat. I was trapped beside it as my leg rope went under the boat. The next wave from the set was coming so I ripped off the leg rope and swam down again.

I survived unhurt but my poor board never. I have left a message and email with the Mooloolaba Surf Club and asked would they pay for the repairs. Let's see if they do the honorable thing.

The scariest part of this tale is yet to come. I have to tell my wife. You see it was her board I took............

oh mate... i feel so sorry for you! i think the old saying comes to mind.. 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!'

good luck!

Lucky escape Swanie, had a few close calls with surf boats over the years and it never usually ends well when they run you over. Good luck with the board.

Mick

Pffftttt,"Life savers"?(not)
Robboooooo
Hope your ok mate??

I caught a wave next to one at Anglesea, just the size of the thing and the momentum it had was really scary (boat not wife!). That must have been bloody frightening.

I hold no anamosity to the lifesavers on board the boat as long as they pay the repair. The location is a renound training ground for boats, skis and clubie boards when it is big and breaks out wide. The sweep was out wide of the line up but lost control as as the swell was big it would not let go of him. I was inside and on the way back out. I used to sweep these things 10 years back and know that when you loose it it is a matter of holding on and waiting for the wave to have its' way with you.

Their was another boat out though that was going through the line up. It collected a six team outrigger with an almighty crunch. I also passed a ski that was cut in 2. I don't know who was responsible for that.

I'm still waiting for the club to reply.

Bring it over to my place ,i,ll fix this week.I,ve been doing epoxy repairs for a few years now.e me on [email protected].

weekend clubbies make us paid council lifeguards cringe

I am happy to say that Mooloolaba Surf Club has agreed to pay the repairs. I have just have to send in the invoice and all down.

Very happy with the outcome.

Hi Peter

Thank you very much for the offer but I only saw it after I had spoken with the surf club today so I think I better follow through with my discussions with them. I will lookyou up for the next repair.

Cheers
Swanie