ABA Brave Youth Of The Year 2018

Thomas Harper BM & Jae Waters BM

Citation:

Mr Thomas Bruce HARPER, Lennox Head NSW 2478

Mr Jae Xander WATERS, Keith Hall NSW 2478

On the morning of 26 September 2016, Mr Thomas Harper and Mr Jae Waters went to the assistance of another surfer during a shark attack near Ballina in New South Wales.

Mr Harper and Mr Waters, both then 16 years old, were surfing at Lighthouse Beach with another friend. As they paddled on their boards out to their friend they saw his board lift up out of the water as a 4 metre Great White shark attacked. The boys saw the shark lunging at their friend, grabbing his leg and the surfboard, and knocking him into the water.

Despite the danger, Mr Harper and Mr Waters immediately paddled out to the injured boy where they saw that the shark was temporarily tangled in the board's leg rope.

Without hesitation the boys each grabbed hold of their friend's arms and, placing him between their two surfboards, began to paddle towards the shore. By this time the shark had managed to disentangle itself from the leg rope and began to pursue the boys at a close distance.

Despite the threat of the shark attacking again, the boys conveyed their injured friend to the shore where he was treated by emergency services before being taken to Lismore Base where he recovered from his injuries.

By their actions, Mr Harper and Mr Waters displayed considerable bravery.