There are few things more terrifying than imagining yourself trapped in a net during a Tsunami… Photo: Shutterstock
What is it like to find yourself
trapped underneath the raw power of a tsunami? It’s a question that
would strike terror into the hearts of most, and it’s one that you would
never expect any living person to be able to answer.
For professional surfer Rob Bain though, it’s not the faraway
nightmare that it may seem for the rest of us. Rather, it’s a shocking
memory from a horrifying incident in Indonesia 21 years ago, and the
Australian recently recounted the experience in a chilled out short
animation with a chilling undertone, which you can watch below.
The story begins back in 1994, when Rob and some friends and filmers
decided to plan at trip to G-Land on the Indonesian island of Java. The
journey came after a surfing trip in Bali, but there was an eerie
atmosphere around the endeavour from the very start.
Rob Bain’s shocking story is captured wonderfully in the new short below… Photo: Red Bull/Screenshot
Before the team has even set foot on Indonesia, one of their team had
already pulled out. Surfer Neal Purchase Jr. backed out after receiving
a call from his girlfriend – who apparently has the gift of foresight –
saying that she didn’t have a good feeling and didn’t want him to go.
Neal agreed to stay at home.
Next thing up, the remaining guys found themselves in G-Land, surfing
in cold water in a hot part of the world. As Bain recalls, “it didn’t
feel right. The day just had a weird feel about it.”
Anyway, after a hard day’s work and a few beers, it was time for bed.
The guys nodded off in amongst the sounds of monkeys and tigers around,
but there would be a horrible surprise waiting for the team when they
woke up.
Rob Bain rides on a huge wave at Waimea Bay… Photo: Surf Transworld
“I was completely pinned to the ground,” remembers Rob. “I was
doubled over with this huge weight on me. My immediate thought was
tiger, so I just started to fight and start screaming. It was completely
black and I couldn’t see anything, but I suddenly realised that I was
actually underwater.
“I had no idea it was a Tsunami at the time but it had pinned me back
against a bush and the whole hut, and the wooden floor had come up on
top of me. I was doubled over, inside my mattress, inside my mosquito
net, trapped like a fish. I just couldn’t get out.”
What happened next was a complete stroke of luck, and one that Bain
must thank his lucky stars for every day. We won’t give you anymore
spoilers on the amazing story though – check out the Red Bull original
below to find out exactly what went on. Do you think you would’ve
survived?
