As shark attack victim Brett Connellan focuses firmly on his own recovery, his mates are working behind the scenes to ease the financial burden of his rehabilitation. Former pro surfer Tom Carroll is also adding muscle to the latest fundraising effort. Cydonee Mardon reports.
Surfing buddies Joel Trist and Brett Connellan often chat about the shark attack that changed their lives for ever.
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While Brett, a shy 22-year-old, has kept his ordeal close to his chest, his mate is open about how he felt dragging his buddie to safety, all the while looking over his shoulder at the bloody trail behind them, fearful the shark may return.
The terror they shared in the water off Bombo Beach that March night is something that will bond them for life.
Getting back in the water has been tough for Mr Trist, there’s ‘’no doubt about it’’.
And his mate is giving everything he’s got to make sure he can one day rejoin his buddie on a wave.
“It definitely does make you look differently at things,’’ Mr Trist told the Mercury this week.
“It hasn’t stopped me from going surfing, but before this you put sharks in the back of your mind. Now you think about it all the time,’’ he said.
“It’s gotten a bit better over time, but it’s been tough. I think it’s affected everyone in the Kiama community. Brett and I chat about it, that helps, but yeah it’s been tough.’’
Mr Trist said his mate “who’s a much better surfer than me’’ is just focused on getting his leg better.
“He wants to put it behind him and focus on his rehab and getting back out there. The day we go out together will be awesome.’’
On the night of the attack, Agie Krowka was sitting on the beach watching the boys surfing 400m away.
“From what I could see Joel had put Brettie onto his board and paddling in to shore. They were screaming at me to come help,’’ she said.
The intensive care nurse bolted over. ‘’I knew straight away. I saw Brett’s face he was grey and I saw his extensive leg injury and I knew that my job was to go and call for help.’’
Looking back she said she felt helpless and out of her comfort zone. Unlike an emergency situation at work, she had no help around her, no equipment and she knew her one job was to get help and fast.
‘’We knew every minute was precious, I just bolted. Three quarters of his quad had been taken off,’’ she said.
Mr Connellan has a long road ahead and his tight-knit group of friends and Jones Beach Boardriders are raising money to help ease the financial burden.
They’ve organised a fundraising event on Saturday June 25 at The Shellharbour Club. Former pro surfer Tom Carroll is guest speaker.
Geoff Latimer said money raised would help with ‘’rehab, the cost of his leg surgery, getting his leg functioning as best as possible and hopefully that will mean walking and getting back into the surf again’’.