SURF BATTLE
HELD FAST ON ROCKS. Battling against tremendous seas to rescue a youth, whose canoe had. capsized at Bronte, Sydney, on , Easter/ Sunday, a life-saver was swept by currents and pounding waves to the bay, where he became wedged between tAvo rocks. He was rescued from a
seething cauldron of seas with great difficulty. . 7 Jack Crabtree, aged 17, of Coogee, entered the huge seas of the hay in his canoe. From the beach the frail craft was seen on the crest of a huge wave, which carried it on to the rocks at the Tamaraina side of the beach. Realising the danger, Crabtree dived from the canoe. The Surf Club officials had detailed a patrol to- stand by with a reel when it was seen that the canoeist might get into difficulties, and Geoffrey Nixon was imediately sent out with the belt to bring him in. Thousands lined the water’s edge to watch his battle with the surf. Nixon, a strong swimmer and the hero of numerous rescues, made good headway in the surf, but with wave after wave pounding down on him, combined with the strong current, he was soon in difficulties. Then followed many anxious moments for those on shore as Nixon was swiftly carried to the rocks. At intervals he was completely lost to sight. The captain ordered the linesmen to proceed to the southern end of the teach and haul in. The' move was successful, for Nixon was able to free himself and was brought in safely. It was found he had sustained a number of bruises to the leg, which had been jammed between two rocks. Meantime, Crabtree, finding that his one change of reaching safety would be to secure a big wave which would land jiim on the rocks, took that chance. The watchers held their breath while he was lifted high on the top of a big roller. Clutching a rock, he endeavoured to climb out, but was dragged away by another Wave. The youth’s plight was desperate, when another wave pitched him higher and he was dragged to safety. He was rushed to the St. John Ambalance station and treated for severe abrasions. <
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Greymouth Evening Star, 27 April 1931, Page 12
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363SURF BATTLE Greymouth Evening Star, 27 April 1931, Page 12
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