Surfer casualty is 'back on board'

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The weekend plans of a civil engineer from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Alex Erens (48), changed dramatically when he went to catch some waves last Saturday, 26 February, at Victoria Bay.

While surfing, Alex was knocked unconscious by another surfer's board and nearly drowned.

He spent the weekend in the intensive care unit of Mediclinic George and had to undergo an operation to his lip, which was torn during the incident. Alex was discharged on Monday night. "It was a harrowing experience, but I am glad to be alive," he said on Tuesday.

Alex and his wife, Channae, are eternally grateful for the help of a surfer, Corné Calitz, who pulled him from the water when he was concussed, as well as the assistance from the lifeguards and paramedics who got him to hospital.

Three Grade 11 learners from York High assisted as lifeguards, together with their crew leader Ricco Koen and senior lifeguard Jana Rossouw. For the three Yorkies - Connor van As, Joel Struwig and Anton le Roux - it was their first real rescue at Victoria Bay. "We worked the whole season, and it was our first time at Vic Bay," said Joel. "The three of us were walking towards the Point, when we heard a commotion behind us. Surfers were busy with a rescue in the water, near the rocks at the pier, and shouted for assistance."

The incident happened around 10:00 on Saturday morning. According to Joel, the surfers who rescued Erens happened to be in the water and saw what happened. They swam over to Alex who was drifting head-down, and tried to pull him onto a surfboard. "We rushed to them and helped to swim Alex out to the beach," he said.

Alex Erens and his wife Channae in Mediclinic George, shortly before he was discharged.

Channae got the call informing her that her husband was on his way to hospital around 11:00. They were visiting her parents in George for the weekend, and this was the last thing she was expecting. "He was able to tell the lifeguard his name, where he parked his bakkie, the combination of the lock for his keys. After that he lost consciousness," said Channae. "He has no clue about anything that happened in Victoria Bay. He can't even remember catching a wave."

Alex was diagnosed with secondary drowning and recovered in hospital for the rest of the weekend. He was very relieved to hear that his wetsuit had not been cut off him, but taken off in one piece by Joel Struwig. "We had such a laugh," said Channae. "It is obvious he is not done with surfing."

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Alex was able to tell the lifeguards all his personal details before he lost consciousness.