GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Despite a harrowing encounter with a shark in Plettenberg Bay last week, 19-year-old surfer Dylan Reddering is looking forward to catching his next wave.
"I am very lucky and grateful that I have walked away from this knowing that I will make a full recovery," said Reddering from his hospital bed at the Life Knynsa Private Hospital this week.
Reddering was attacked by a shark while surfing at Lookout Beach on Friday 26 June and suffered severe lacerations and muscle damage to the right side of his body, including his ribs, his buttocks and his leg.
His injuries required surgery soon after the incident.
But just how lucky he was to have survived the ordeal hit home the next day when he received news that fellow University of Cape Town (UCT) student, 19-year-old Caleb Swanepoel, lost his right leg in a separate shark attack on the Garden Route on Saturday 27 June.
Swanepoel was bodyboarding at Buffel's Bay outside Knysna when he was bitten by a shark.
"My heart really goes out to Caleb. I can’t even begin to imagine what he must be going through," said Reddering.
Reddering, who was home from UCT for the holidays, said he had just finished giving two young boys a surfing lesson when he grabbed a friend’s surfboard and wetsuit and went for a paddle. "I didn’t have my board or my wetsuit in Plett so I borrowed a friend’s. His board is a lot wider and thicker compared to my own and I believe that this actually saved my life."
Reddering said he had a lot of fun surfing on Friday. "I was whistling and shouting with joy after each wave as I was having such a good time."
However, the young surfer’s shrieks of joy turned to screams for help when he was suddenly 'hit' by what he assumes was a great white shark.
"I had just surfed my last wave as it was getting dark and cold when I saw another nice set come through. As I paddled towards it, I was suddenly hit. It was so powerful; it felt like I was hit by a car. I knew it was a shark.
"I immediately started kicking and punching in the water in case it was still around. I grabbed the board, which was right next to me at the time and used it as a shield. Luckily, the set I was paddling for reached me at that time and I could ride my way back to shore."
Reddering, who grew up in Plettenberg Bay, said he has been overwhelmed by support and love from friends, family and the local community.
He added that doctors said he would make a full recovery and he was looking forward to getting back in the water soon.
In the meantime, Swanepoel is recovering at the Mediclinic George where he underwent surgery on Monday 29 June.
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ARTICLE: YOLANDé STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT CORRESPONDENT.
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