Nick Slater: Strong crowds attend paddle outs for shark attack victim at Burleigh Heads and Newcastle
A Gold Coast friend of shark attack victim Nick Slater says a paddle out tribute was a touching farewell and he sees memories of their mateship everywhere he goes.
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A GOLD Coast friend of shark attack victim Nick Slater says a paddle out tribute was a touching farewell and he sees memories of their mateship everywhere he goes.
Laurie Minto watched from the shore during the poignant Saturday paddle out in Burleigh held on the same day as one in Newcastle where Mr Slater’s parents live.
His ashes were scattered in the NSW beach during the paddle out which attracted a 100.
Mr Minto recalls of his friend who was killed when bitten by a great white at Greenmount seven weeks ago: “I’m in Miami and everywhere I go it’s like I did this with Nick, I went here with Nick.
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“I got a beach cruiser bike that I actually bought off Nick and we used to ride the path around Burleigh and now when I do that it just brings back instant memories of those simple pleasures that we were doing together around the Coast here.
“To remember him through a paddle out and being in the ocean is a true memory reflective of Nick and what he loved, and what he was passionate about in life, which, was amongst other things, surfing and friendships,” Mr Minto said.
He brought down one of Mr Slater’s boards, printed out some photos, and had flowers, which were later scattered in the ocean during the small gathering.
He said the last month had been challenging.
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His twin brother and fellow long-time friend Sean Minto said about 50 people paddled out into the ocean at Dixon Park Beach at Newcastle, while another 50 remained on the shore during a “sombre” farewell to him on Saturday.
“There was camaraderie around the people who were there. (There was) lots of people from different walks off life, not everyone knew each other but there was a bond, and … one of the guys said some words, (there was) lots of yahooing and splashing and celebrating Nick’s life,” Mr Minto said.
He told the Bulletin his ashes were scattered during the event, and those of Nick’s sister who died years ago.
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“Obviously his parents (who reside in New South Wales) have been dealt a very harsh blow … no parent should have to bury their children,” Mr Minto said.
One man also gave tribute to Mr Slater from Bali. Mr Slater, 46, who lived in Miami, was attacked by a shark at Greenmount Beach just after 5pm on September 8. He died within minutes, despite the frantic efforts of surfers, lifesavers and paramedics.
He had suffered a bite stretching from his hip to his knee. The fatality was the first on a Gold Coast beach since 1958.
Nick Slater: Greenmount shark attack victim mourned by Gold Coast community at scene
The fatal shark attack on surf-loving Gold Coaster Nick Slater at popular Greenmount Beach cast an eerie feeling across the stretch of sand the next morning and at nearby Snapper Rocks.
Some shrugged it off and went in despite Beach Closed signs, one was oblivious to what had happened and wondered why it was so quiet while others headed down but stayed out of the water either due to “respect” or being “spooked”.
Local surfer Josh Hannant wasn’t aware of the fatality just 12 hours earlier when he rocked up for a few waves at 5.30am on Wednesday.
The brother of rugby league player and radio show host Ben Hannant said he got in his three-hour session at Snapper before having to pick up bread for the kids and get ready for work
“When I turned up no one was around. I took a snap for a mate and said ‘Look at this, there’s no one here’,” Josh said.
“Another onlooker told me the beach was shut because of a shark attack further down. When another surfer said he’s going in I went in too. It was just the two of us for about an hour, which is very unusual for this spot.”
Police patrol buggies, lifeguards on jet skis and a handful of surfers later occupied the otherwise quiet beaches.
A group of surfers at Coolangatta were told to leave at 7.30am by police but down at the popular Snapper Rock break, the number of riders was growing by the minute.
Former world surfing champion Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo was one of the first to paddle up from Snapper and take on the break at Greenmount.
For local surfer Peter ‘PJ’ Kefecek, 52, he decided to stay out of the water in respect for Mr Slater.
“I spoke to him, every time I would see him he’d say hello,” Mr Kefecek said.
“There’s a bit of a community where you might not know everyone’s name but you’d know their faces and say hello.”
Many visited the scene, some laying wreaths, while others took time out to reflect on the situation including local surfing world champions Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore, who were both seen in the area.
Tony Reis, 51, from Kirra was surfing a couple hours before the fatal attack and returned the next day but wasn’t getting in the water.
“You always wonder if they (sharks) are out there but you never think it’s going to happen,” Mr Reis said.
“I’m a bit spooked, I think I’ll stay out for a little while.”
Mother Grace Herriot, 27, said it was a shock and the death hit close to home.
“My husband is a surfer as well, so it shows it can happen to anyone,” she said.
“I’m just really sad for the family.”
Bente Ferm, 73, and Eileen Fogardy, 79, normally walk the track along the beach every Tuesday morning but made a special trip down Wednesday to pay their respects.
“We sit and watch the surfers, it shook me badly because we walk past here all the time,” Ms Ferm said.
Originally published as Nick Slater: Strong crowds attend paddle outs for shark attack victim at Burleigh Heads and Newcastle