Ocean farewell for Franki
Paddlers stage moving tribute to honour ‘special young man who loved the sea’
THE sea rescue and spearfishing communities gathered at Pollok Beach yesterday for a special paddleout ceremony to mark the death of Pearson High School matric pupil Francis “Franki” Nienhuis, who died at Thunderbolt Reef last weekend.
More than 50 people, each with a flower between their teeth, and with a single wreath of sunflowers, paddled out on boards and surfskis through rough onshore breakers and gathered in a circle behind the backline to honour the young man who loved the sea.
Coordinating the paddleout, Jason Collier – a friend of Franki’s at the Summerstrand Lifesaving Club – said he had spoken briefly in commemoration and then invited others in the circle to contribute their thoughts.
“Then we threw our flowers into the water and sent him off,” he said.
On the beach, a crowd of friends, family and members of the National Sea Rescue Institute and the spearfishing fraternity who had not paddled out stood in a long line of support.
Franki, 18, a novice spearfisherman but a capable swimmer, was free-diving at Thunderbolt Reef off Cape Recife with Eugene van Wyngaardt.
Van Wyngaardt, an experienced spear-fisherman, dived to shoot a fish and when he returned to the surface the youngster was not there.
He raised the alarm and not long afterwards Franki’s body was found.
Well known Bay spearfisherman Gletwyn Rubidge said it was not yet certain what happened to him.
Spearfishing dangers include getting tangled in the speargun line, and slipping into unconsciousness after overstaying your breath-hold limit.
Rubidge said he had not known Franki.
“I wish I had. It seems he was a remarkable young guy.”
Collier said Franki had been a free spirit. “He was energetic, enthusiastic and not scared to learn. He was always keen to do things.”
Summerstrand Lifesaving Club secretary Di Nelson said Franki had been with the club for about two years.
“We heard earlier at the funeral at Father’s House of his wonderful artistic talent.
“To us he was a lovely boy – well-mannered, always friendly and willing to help. And he loved the sea.”
Gerdus Becker, long-time partner of Franki’s mother Bridget, said he had been “different and special”.
“He would teach you without saying a word. He would love you without saying.”