I was invited by Raymond to go surfing today at Maroubra Beach. It was a such nice weather today, so I thought why not.
The Pacific Ocean sent swells with massive power and height, a dream paradise for avid surfers.
The water was icy cold, and my legs turn numb after standing in it for a while.
SK was showing us how to catch a wave, and we drifted out of the safe area marked by the red and yellow flags without noticing.
Suddenly, we got caught in a rip and were dragged towards the ocean. I panicked and tried to swim against the waves, but I didn't have the strength and couldn't touch the ground. I swallowed gulps of the salty water and treaded water for life.
I felt a thread on my left, and thought that was a divider, like those used in Olympic sized pools. I tried to hold on to it and felt a sharp pain on my back suddenly.
Someone was fishing from the beach and it was a fishing line. The sharp pain came from the hook, which went through the flesh and came out. As I struggled, I was entangled and was couldn't move.
I waved hard and shouted for help, but was it was drowned (pun intended) by the waves. Maroubra is a local Aboriginal word meaning like thunder by the way.
My head kept bobbling underneath the water and saw an Aussie guy from the beach grabbing the lifeguard's rescue board and paddled swiftly towards me. I never seen someone paddled so fast in my life (maybe because it's my first time in this situation too).
I climbed on his board, he pulled out the hook from my back and paddled back to shore. Another huge swell hit us and we capsized.
This time round, I just held on from the side as he paddled back to safety. I sat on dry ground in total exhaustion.
The lifeguard came on his 4WD response vehicle and checked my condition. He then applied some antiseptic on my wound.
The owner of the fishing rod walked over and gave a sarcastic remark that I was probably the only thing he caught today.
What the? It is not funny if he thought that he was a fisher of men.
Rips are responsible for about 150 deaths every year in the United States. In Florida, they kill more people annually than thunderstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes combined.
80% of all beach rescues are related to rip currents.
To survive a rip, keep calm, and conserve your energy.
Instead of swimming against the current instinctively, swim sideways, parallel to the beach. This will get you out of the narrow outward current, so you can swim back in with the waves helping you along.
Tread water and call for help, signal to people on the beach and, if all else fails, wait for the waves to carry you in.
I shared this story with my cell members and got prayed over this traumatizing experience. I'm really kinda scared of the sea now. I hope this feeling wouldn't last too long.
You know, this whole incident gave me a revelation that God is always looking after you and in total control. Even in situation where you think its hopeless, He will stretch out His big hand to save you.
A powerful experience that I will never forget. And a big thank you for the guy who saved me.
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