Yet no-one has rallied harder for the young surfer than his mates.

On June 25 at The Shellharbour Club, his mates have organised a fundraiser of epic proportions. 

Former world champion surfer Tom Carroll will be among the specials guests at the evening.

All the money raised will go towards Brett who is still facing a long road of rehabilitation in the hope of getting to his feet again after a shark took a chunk of his leg that March evening at Bombo Beach.

His friends and family are hoping one day Brett will be able to walk – and maybe even surf  again - into the future.

Someone who has been with him every step of the way for the 22-year-old surfer, who one day hoped to turn professional, was his mate Joel Trist.

Joel was the man who came instantly to Brett’s aid.

Knowing his mate had been attacked by a shark and was in big trouble, Joel swam straight towards the shark and his mate, carrying him to the safety of the shore.

It was a brave act that staggered us all at the time.

The Illawarra Mercury front page the day after the attack carried a photo of Joel accompanied simply by one word: “HERO”.

Joel Trist is undoubtedly Brett Connellan’s hero.

They share an experience few will ever experience and a bond that few of us can hope to understand.

‘’It hasn’t stopped me from going surfing, but before this you put sharks in the back of your mind,’’ Joel told the Illawarra Mercury this week.

``Now you think about it all the time.

‘’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.’’ 

Now Joel and Brett’s main aims to get to a point they will again share a wave.

‘’He wants to put it behind him and focus on his rehab and getting back out there,’’ Joel said.

“The day we go out together will be awesome.’’

Everyone hopes for that outcome too. Go you good thing.

Get tickets to next week’s fundraiser at www.surfersforbretto.com