REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Friday, February 27, 2004

TWO experienced surfers were almost lost at sea after being swept more than one kilometre from the Southport Seaway.

Allan Watts, 29, and Scott Martin, 30, both of Chirn Park, sparked a massive police search at 6.40pm when their calls for help were heard by a fisherman on the edge of the southern rock wall.

The two boardriders had been swept from around The Spit beach break and directly out to sea before paddling back to South Stradbroke Island and across the Seaway to safety.

Battling strong winds, rough seas and a heavy southerly sweep, the two surfers emerged in The Spit carpark unscathed but a little red-faced over their potentially fatal surfing blunder.

“The rip sucked us out the Seaway and we had to paddle back against the tide,” Mr Martin said.

“We just called for help because we were going nowhere and I have heard of people being washed out to sea here.

“Crossing it the second time was a walk in the park after coming back in.”

Mr Martin said they both knew it was important to stick together as they were being swept out to sea and to remain calm despite being able to see all the lights on the Seaway wall searching for them.

Two Volunteer Marine Rescue boats, Water Police and Couran Cove quad bikes were all involved in the hourlong search, while the RACQ CareFlight helicopter was preparing to launch as the pair finally managed to return to safety.