Gold Coast teenager surfer details the moment she nearly drowned at Margaret River

A Gold Coast teenager has detailed the moment she nearly drowned on the infamous surgeon’s table in Margaret River while surfing.

North End boardrider Urara Saito almost drowned when her leg-rope got tangled in the reef at Margaret River during last year’s Australian Junior Titles.

Her name in Japan means ‘serene’ and that composure saved her life.

Born on the Gold Coast from Japanese parents, Saito is a highly competitive surfer with huge potential and gives the boys a run for their money.

She learnt how to stand up on a bodyboard at five-years-of-age at Main Beach Southport, prompting her folks to buy her first surfboard.

By the time Saito turned eight she was competing and joined the North End boardriders club in 2015.

FIVE TO WATCH AT GROMMET AND JUNIOR QLD TITLES

‘HORRIFIC ATTACKS’: SURFING ICON’S TERRIFYING SHARK ENCOUNTERS

‘THERE WERE 10 SHARKS JUMPING’: SHOCK FOR COAST SURFER

Club president Damian Healey said: “Saito is a super keen young member at every club round,” he said.

“She is always helping out, motivated to judge and learning all aspects of competition surfing. “She has really come on in leaps and bounds in the last year, is always committed to training and trying to surf the best she can. She’s got a really bright future and we are stoked to have her as a proud North End member.”

Saito said the club was like another family.

“North End is like family and they’re a bunch of people that love to surf. They are also so supportive when it comes to comps and helps me out a lot. ” Saito said.

Queensland State Grommet Surfing Titles at Sunrise Beach. Urara Saito. Picture: John McCutcheon

The Year 9 student from Southport State High School enjoys Sport Excellence and HPE.

“I just love running around and learning new sports, “she said

Her best contest result was placing sixth overall in the under-14 of the Australian Titles held at Margaret River, Westeran, Australia, last year.

Saito would like to see more girls surfing and be given more support.

FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR FIRST 12 WEEKS

“Not many girls I know surf, but I want them to experience the feeling of surfing. The guys can be supportive but sometimes takes advantage of us women.

“If the women’s surfing population grows, I think we could be treated differently by them.”

Her favourite surfer is Hawaii’s Brisa Hennessy and Saito has been to Oahu surfing Kewalo’s, Diamond Heads and Laniakea.

Outside interests include tumbling, like flips such as backflips. Saito swims for Southport Aquatic Centre clocking up 3-4km in a session.

“I think it helps with my paddling for surfing.”

Urara Saito at her favourite beach Main Beach Southport. Photo supplied

Her craziest surfing experience was being caught underwater at the notorious surgeon’s table reef at Margaret River where her leg-rope snared the reef.

“I caught a massive wave and got drilled underwater. I tried to float back to the surface when I realised my leg rope was stuck between the reefs. I was panicking a lot, but I tried to keep calm, undid my leg rope underwater and I finally got to the surface.”

SHOCK DEATH OF GOLD COAST SPORTING GREAT

DRINKING BAR DRY AND KING BROTHERS REUNITE

Saito is excited with the resumption of Suring Queensland competitions at the end of this month with the Woolworth Qld Junior State titles on the Sunny Coast this weekend. It’s the first surfing competition since the COVID lockdown.