REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday June 1, 2006

DIVING deep into the Nerang River, Karen Smith and Del McLaughlin curled into balls and prayed they would not be sliced up by the propeller of a speeding boat.

The Surfers Paradise rowers were trying to work out how they were still alive after a powerboat crashed through their double scull during a training session.

"I was sure we were going to die. We jumped from the boat and swam as deep as we could," said Mrs McLaughlin.

"I was just waiting for the blades to slice us open," she said.

The women were completing a training session when they saw the boat heading for them near the Isle of Capri bridge. They believe the boat may be a yellow, or yellow and white striped, 15foot Haines Hunter half cabin with a 90HP Honda four stroke outboard motor.

When the boat failed to alter course they jumped for their lives. A matter of seconds later it destroyed their $12,000 scull.

Rowers travel backwards, and Mrs McLaughlin was in charge of spotting any obstacles.

About 5.30pm she noticed the powerboat coming towards them, so the pair, who were wearing flashing lights, waved and yelled to get the attention of the driver.

"But he hadn’t seen us and was coming full speed straight towards us," said Mrs McLaughlin.

"We didn’t have time to get out of the road, so I said ‘he’s gunna hit us, go’!"

The pair jumped out of the left side of the double scull and swam as deep as they could to avoid the boat’s propeller.