Surfing and mishaps are synonymous with each other. More often than not, the surfing community comes across ghastly incidents, sometimes even fatal. However, such adversities are anticipated to some extent, given surfing is an extreme sport. Yet, training athletes with crucial life-saving practices often helps mitigate the intensity of these accidents. Recently, an elderly man in Australia fell victim to a life-threatening encounter. Luckily, he made it out alive after the locals rushed to his rescue and offered first aid. 

In an interview by 7News, it was revealed that a surfer was knocked unconscious at Yallingup Beach. The location is among the most popular destinations in Western Australia, and the waters are flooded with surfers. The victim was unable to conquer a big wave and apparently, was hit by his own surfboard. Here’s what happened. 

A fortunate surfer makes it out alive from a horrible accident

According to the sources, the man was surfing nearby to the coast when he stumbled upon a big wave and hit his head. He fell unconscious and fell face off on the water. Although, he didn’t suffer any external injuries. Ben, a young surfer nearby noticed the man floating face down and rushed to the spot. “This guy fell off a wave and was just floating face down in the water probably for about ten seconds by the time we got to him,” he said.

The locals regarded the victim as being fortunate for making it alive. After the bystanders rescued him, the surfer was starting to regain consciousness. Hence, the young rescuer added, “He sort of came back to consciousness when we were getting him on the board. Had a fair bit of chest pain but he’s with the ambos.”

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He was hauled to the beach shore by Ben and the other locals. By good luck, a doctor happened to be relaxing on the scene and hurried to assist the others. “We pulled him up onto the beach to get him some first aid…. very fortunate that he was able to be rolled over and get his airways clear,” Ben detailed. Moments later, emergency medical experts reached the scene and rushed him to Busselton Health Campus. By the same token, a doctor once suffered a similar fate while surfing on Bondi Beach. 

Surfer whacked by a gigantic whale dropped unconscious and injured

In a peculiar incident that took place a decade ago, Bishan Rajapakse, a doctor by profession was leisurely surfing at the Bondi Beach coast. Moments later, the locals noticed a 33-feet whale drawing close to the shore. Undoubtedly fascinated, all gazed at the giant mammal in awe. Meanwhile, Rajapakse’s daze took a wrong turn. He paddled in too close to the whale and before he even knew it, its tail smacked him unconscious. 

Narrating the experience, Tony Spanos, a local surfer who saved the man, told, “Got really heavily smashed and went straight under.” Whereas a lifeguard at the beach explained, “It’s an extreme no-no to go in the vicinity of a whale.” The Sri Lankan-native described his misadventure from the hospital bed, saying,  “It was beautiful and it breached and we could see the barnacles and it was slowly going up and down and turning and it actually made a noise. It was amazing.”

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With these incidents coming to light, it is likely that athletes shall approach their adventurous escapades with awareness. Apart from prioritizing the thrills, it is also essential to be mindful of the probable risks of the sport. Don’t you agree? Tell us in the comments.