Surfer Hospitalized from Boat Propeller Collision (Video)

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Nov 25, 2024 1:19 PM ET

There’s a slew of potentials for injury or death whilst surfing. Just to name a few – collisions with other surfers, collisions with one’s own board, collisions with the bottom (reef, sand, rocks, etc.), encounters and attacks with marine wildlife like sharks and feisty seals and others…

But with all those mentions of collisions, boats aren’t typically on the list.

That, unfortunately, is what happened to a surfer on the Gold Coast of Australia over the weekend. On Sunday, a man either in his 50s or 60s (different outlets are reporting different ages) was in the water for a dawn patrol session at Palm Beach when a small fishing boat, which was careening through the surf zone for some reason, struck him and caused severe injuries.

CCTV footage captured the collision; see below.

Following the collision, the man was helped ashore where a group gathered to help and first responders arrived. Reportedly, the victim suffered life-threatening injuries to his leg and abdomen from the incident; he was rushed to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition.

Although boat collisions are a rarity for surfers, as mentioned above, they aren’t unheard of. In fact, earlier this year, Maui waterman Zane Schweitzer was hit by a boat while training for a paddleboard race. Not surfing, per se, but still. Schweitzer suffered lacerations from the propeller, and broke a few bones in his back.

So, it’s possible. Keep an eye out.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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