LEGEND OF THE SURF
FAMILY TELLS OF HEARTBREAK
THE family of Gold Coast shark attack victim Rob Pedretti have told of their heartbreak at losing the “humble, fun-loving, down to earth and all-round legend” while thanking the heroic surfers who tried to save him.
The emotional tribute came as some of Mr Pedretti’s shattered mates said he would not want the killer shark culled.
Mr Pedretti, 60, died when he was attacked by the 3m great white while surfing at Kingscliff on the Tweed Coast on Sunday morning.
A mate with whom he was surfing, and another boardrider, risked their own lives to paddle the retired Tugun tradie to shore as the shark continued to menace them.
Mr Pedretti, who was badly mauled on the left thigh, died on the beach.
His family, who are based in Geelong where he was raised before moving to the Gold Coast about 20 years ago, released a statement telling of their grief and thanking Mr Pedretti’s friend, Frank Schlee, and the other surfer, Mark Hayes, who tried to save him.
“Robin was such a humble, fun-loving, down to earth and all-round legend,” they said. “We will all miss him dearly; our family has suffered a terrible loss.
“To his good mate Frank and the man who helped him back to shore, we truly appreciate your heroic and brave, selfless act under the confronting circumstances.
“From the bottom of our hearts, we are forever grateful. We thank everyone for their support at such a difficult time.”
Mr Pedretti’s surfing buddies gathered at their favourite Tugun surf spot yesterday to pay tribute to their lost mate and laud the bravery of Mr Schlee and Mr Hayes.
They told how Mr Pedretti had never married and was happiest surfing around the world, riding his pushbike and being with his mates.
“He loved the water, he loved being out with the boys – he was always a character,” close mate Craig Tulloch said.
“He was a lovely guy, everyone loved him. He loved surfing and he loved life. We’re going to miss him.”
Mr Pedretti’s friends said it could very nearly have been a triple fatality after the shark continued to circle following the attack, and then “chased” Mr Schlee and Mr Hayes as they brought him to shore.
“It chased them all the way to shore,” Mr Tulloch said.
“It bumped Mark’s board – put a ding in it.
“They were very lucky to get him in (without being attacked themselves).”
Friend Kevin Parsons said: “Frank believes that if Mark wasn’t there – if it was just him and Robbo – Frank wouldn’t be here and I believe that. They’re the heroes.”
The killer shark was being hunted by Department of Fisheries officers but Mr Pedretti’s mates said he would not want it culled.
“We’re in the shark’s waters,” Mr Tulloch said.
Mr Tulloch shared fond memories of one of his last surfs with Mr Pedretti.
“We were just surfing out here (at Tugun) a few weeks ago,” he said. “It was just one of those perfect days.
“Robbo turned around and said ‘this is the life, this is retirement’.
“He was the happiest he’s ever been …”
HE LOVED THE WATER, HE LOVED BEING OUT WITH THE BOYS – HE WAS ALWAYS A CHARACTER
CRAIG TULLOCH