MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A svelte man from Rastatt in Germany, Jörg (78), who prefers that his surname not be used, returned home this week after a harrowing experience at Dias Beach.
Jörg told the Mossel Bay Advertiser he was a lifeguard in his younger days and therefore regarded himself as a strong swimmer, however, nothing could have prepared him for the force with which he was swept out to sea on Thursday, 30 November.
"At 16:45 I went into the water. Up to 14 years ago I was a lifeguard. I am a strong swimmer, but by the second wave a rip current got hold of me and I was sucked 10 to 20 metres into the sea within a matter of seconds.
"I tried to swim out but then I started to panic. I tried to keep my head above the water but I swallowed a lot of seawater.
"The waves were not that big, about 60 to 70 centimetres, but they were too strong for me. I realised I was panicking. I could feel my body becoming weak and I realised I was losing power. When a big wave rushed over me, I lost all consciousness."
Ninth rescue
He was the ninth person that had to be rescued from the surf last week, a worrisome start to the holiday season, says Andries Matthysen, who runs the non-profit organisation, The Surfer Kids, on Dias Beach for the busy holiday season.
"I believe everyone on the beach noticed me when I ran into trouble in the surf, and I can only thank everyone who came to my rescue," Jörg says.
From the moment he lost consciousness, he cannot recall anything until the moment he came to in the intensive care unit of Life Bay View hospital.
"I must thank and congratulate Naomi and Connie, who have watched over me and cared for me so well while in hospital. All the personnel, the doctors, were tremendous.
"The doctors declared me fit and in good health once I recovered from the shock and trauma.
"I was kept overnight and the following day all my vitals were perfect. Everyone was so supportive of my wife and my friend, Werner."
Right time, right place
"I was just so lucky Andries and his people were just at the right place at the right time. The young Sipho, I am told, struggled for 20 minutes to resuscitate me.
If it were not for my rescuers, who knows... My young child told me 'Opa, come home, we need you.'
Jörg and his wife got together with some of the men responsible for his rescue after he was discharged from hospital.
"This afternoon Andries is taking me swimming again," Jörg said.
Several people the Advertiser spoke to after the incident rue the fact that lifesavers are not deployed on the more dangerous beaches such as Dias Beach sooner in December and for longer hours.
One woman who does not wish to be named, said Dias Beach had in recent years claimed several young lives. "What use it to spend good money to entice tourists to visit our area where the miles of golden beaches are a lure, only to have them leave with horrid memories of harrowing experiences on our local beaches."
Beachgoers also complained about the poor condition of existing warning signs, and said the warning signs were not positioned for utmost visibility.
The Surfer Kids Core Surf Programme can be reached on their new website at www.thesurferkids.com, via email to thesurferkids@unravelsurftravel.com or call 084 893 1543.
The Surfer Kids is a registered non-profit / public benefit organisation (136-987 NPO).
Jörg (right) with the men who braved the waves to save him, Andries Matthysen (left) and Jean Claude Thiart Joubert. "If not for the men who saved me, who knows?" Jörg said.
Read related articles:
ARTICLE: NICKEY LE ROUX, MOSSEL BAY ADVERTISER NEWS EDITOR
'We bring you the latest Mossel Bay, Garden Route news'
