KNYSNA NEWS - The calm, considered actions of two young Knysna surfers - combined with swift response from emergency services and volunteers of NSRI Station 12 - prevented certain disaster at Buffalo Bay late on the afternoon of Wednesday 10 November.

Tristan Gaylard-Ralfe (13) and Nathan van de Griendt (14) were surfing at Murphys (the break in front of the eastern-most houses on the bay) when they became aware of a swimmer in distress. 

The swimmer, Joshua Schreuder (24), had ventured out into the water for the first time since the advent of lockdown last year.

Swimming past the surf

"We saw him come swimming past us, but then he swam at least 50 metres further out into the sea, before turning and swimming back towards the shore," said Nathan.

Joshua said open water swimming was no novelty to him. "When I was a little younger, I used to go swimming in open water, outside the surf pretty regularly. Getting back to shore was, and always is, a test of endurance. 

"I found myself getting tired much quicker than I expected though, and despite my efforts, I wasn't getting any closer to the shore," Joshua said. "After treading water for some time, my muscles were starting to lock up and I realised I wasn't going make it to the beach without help."

The start of the trouble

This was when he started calling for assistance. "I knew there were surfers nearby, so I called out to them for help, hoping someone would hear. I continued struggling to keep my head above the water for some time after calling for help, inhaling and swallowing water each time the waves drew me under," he recalls. 

"There was a point where I came to terms with the fact that I was not going to survive. Then I came up from the water to see a young surfer yelling at me to grab hold of his board."

It was Tristan and Nathan who had shown up to save Joshua's life. "We got him onto my board, and Tristan towed him while I supported him," Nathan explained. "While we were trying to get him back in, we all got caught in a rip current, and after probably half an hour or more later, we finally got him onto the beach where members of his family were waiting, unaware that there was a problem."

Back on land

The boys enlisted the help of bystanders to call the NSRI, and borrowed blankets from one of the nearby homes to keep Joshua warm. NSRI Station 12 commander, Jerome Simonis, immediately activated the station's volunteers and the ER24 paramedics. 

A number of the volunteers drove directly to Buffalo Bay in their personal vehicles, with the NSRI's mobile response vehicle, an ambulance, and a unit from the Knysna Fire and Rescue Department also responding to the call.

"Rescue craft Jaytee IV was also launched with rescue swimmers just in case further assistance might be needed in the water," Simonis said.

"Rein Hofmeyer, the first volunteer on the scene, covered the swimmer with a space blanket, placed him in the recovery position, and monitored his condition while he waited for our station doctor, Dr Maarsingh, and the rescue services to take over."

The recovery

Joshua was transported by ambulance to Knysna Provincial Hospital for further observation. "Fortunately he was OK, and was discharged from hospital the following day.

"The boys' actions definitely saved his life, though," Simonis said.

Speaking to KPH on Tuesday, Joshua also recalls how the ordeal had longer-lasting effects on him.

"This past weekend was full of abdominal cramps and diarrhoea. It felt like my kidneys took a beating from all that salt water I swallowed," he said.

"Despite drinking loads of fresh water, for the first three days after the incident I was waking up with headaches, feeling like I was hung over, having moments of vertigo after standing for too long.

As of yesterday [Monday 15 November] though, I'm feeling fine again, and back to my usual self."

Moments of reflection

Murray Ralfe, Tristan's father, who also helped on the beach, said, "Something that stands out for me was that Tristan knew what to do to keep the man warm, because we'd recently attended a short talk by the NSRI on how to help shark attack victims.

"The NSRI giving even a short talk like that makes a difference, and we really appreciate everything they do."

Joshua was beyond grateful for Nathan and Tristan's efforts.

"You guys have my deepest and most sincere gratitude. Your bravery and willingness to put yourselves at risk for the sake of another, gave me my life back. Such acts of selfless kindness are seeds of great value which you sow into your lives.

"They will grow, and you will reap an abundant harvest of kindness and selflessness as a result.

"Also, please accept my apologies, I endeavour to be more cautious, more responsible, and make better judgments in the future."

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