Crowdfund: Shipstern Bluff Victim Harry Hollmer-Cross
Hi there,
Young legend Harry Hollmer-Cross from Dodges Ferry was surfing Shipstern Bluff Sunday 26/03/23 with a large crew and had the wipeout from hell that nearly cost him his life. He hit the bottom after pulling into a huge wave, was knocked out unconscious, and drowned while getting rag dolled down the point underwater though all the rocks.
His father James got to him on the jet ski as Harry was face down unconscious and not breathing, luckily enough, James was quick to respond, getting him out of water and straight to the boat where they started CPR. Shortly after, his body reacted, thank God, and they brought him back. Then a short boat ride to meet the emergency rescue helicopter who flew him straight to Royal Hobart hospital.
He is very lucky, and it couldn’t have had a better outcome from what it was looking like.
Mind you, his road to recovery is only starting. He's in hospital with head trauma and ear damage, where he’s waiting on finding out about operations for his ear canal and looking like losing hearing in left side where he will need hearing aid etc and ongoing treatment with chest issues etc.
The concussion is looking at loss of motor skill functions and will also have muscle deterioration. He'll be away from work without income, and worst of all for him, no surfing.
The road to recovery is going to be a slow process.
Let's get this young charger back in the ocean.
-Danny Griffiths
Comments
unpopular opinion, and not meaning to offend anyone, but when people put themselves in very dangerous situations, they should take responsibility before and after. its like when taxpayer money is used to save people on sinking boats who sailed in unsuitable weather when they should have stayed at home. i hope harry recovers, but i dont think other people should be footing the bill. his risky behaviour has caused him to lose his income.
I think you should consider it a bit more before posting.
For one, Harry didn't post the crowd fund thing. Secondly, scrolling through the list of donors and it's largely Taswegians - i.e friends. This is a place they can help out one of their own. Thirdly, some people like watching big wave surfing, and what happened is the dark side of doing something dangerous. Dont mean to be flippant, but without shit occasionally hitting the fan there's no thrill for the surfers or those who watch. People who appreciate this conundrum might also be inclined to donate.
Sorry to hear for him and his fam and I hope he recovers well enough to get back in the water - if people feel like it’s ok to ask and people are happy to give well that’s their call but…..
I can’t help but feel the same as Scrotina you take the risks then you have to deal with the consequences, then you start to ask
1) was he wearing a helmet
2) was he wearing a vest
3) what gear did they have ready for a resuscitation, oxygen etc
The beauty of surfing is that really anyone can give it a crack - you can paddle out anywhere at any size and no one will stop you irrespective of how under prepared you might be. It’s a blessing and maybe a curse…
Do you know how effective the range of helmets available for surfing are and what are the test results? I have my doubts and they may be crap. What a motorcycle helmet is and the impacts it can take then you look at the ice cream containers for surfing with minimal padding I can't see they are of real use. Love to be proved wrong.
try slamming your head into a brick wall with and without a helmet mate, should be quite obvious after that field test
Ahhh, something a tad more sophisticated would be appreciably better me thinks. The Gath is hard hard with EVA padding whereas some of the others are D30 which has undergone extensive testing. You need impact absorption probably more than a hard outer layer. Also whiplash effect may come into play with a hard hard. Gath has next to zero impact absorption and provide no data as to their helmets effectiveness. All motorcycle helmets have to meet a range of safety criteria (unless you live in an Asian country) and I would like to see something from the manufacturers of surfing helmets before I spend $300 on a Gath.
Let’s be honest hear bra, you not surfing waves that require a helmet.
I disagree I can’t believe at urbansurf for example no one wears a helmet even when provided for free. often it is the smaller waves where the bottom is closer that are more risky. I have worn a helmet for years and the amount of surfers that ask about it and then tell me they have suffered head injuries makes me think they average punter may not be that smart about head safety. Also went bouncing around under water on shallow reefs etc etc mind you those that have been in the game for longer such as job or Owen for example have become aware that any protection is better than none
At the end of the day if your surfing those kinds of waves
any protection is better than none
That said I wish Harry the best recovery no one ever wants to see this. Especially his Dad that day.
Helmets also protect ear drums from cold winds, ears & scull from fin chops & board (yours and others )
Tiz cheap insurance & confidence surfing on shallow waters
https://eos.surf/video/entry/video-carroll-vs-ho-1991-pipeline-masters/
@Blingas . Yep, agree with your comments.
The old Gath may not be perfect but I rather be wearing one than not when I hit the bottom, or have a fin trying to dissect my brain.
I started wearing a gath around 12 years ago when i started Kite-surfing and after a while I used it surfing as well because I felt naked without something on my head. You really get so used to wearing one that you become unaware of it. Do you think about your shoes while you're walking? NO! you get used to wearing a helmet [or hat] very quickly.
Unless of course you can't find a helmet size to fit your Ego.
@surf.rat agree I remember the first three surfs with a helmet felt “weird” but now same I feel uncomfortable especially with heaps of boards I the water without it. I think I would wear a whole suit if I was to face the superbank again
Suit of armour that is
a motorcycle helmet has to withstand hitting the pavement at 100km/h +, much higher impact than anything a surfer would face, the biggest danger for most surfers would be fins/nose piercing your skull, coral piercing your scull, and your ears being blown out by overpressure, you'd think a gath would be pretty effective for preventing those type of injuries.
I started wearing a gath 10 years ago as I was getting burnt by the sun on the bald noggin. But I have found it to be effective when a board lands on your head. I still have the same one - they last for ages.
damn people really be out here thinking "costly" rescue missions are a problematic waste of tax money. wait until you hear how much the govt spends on defence or fossil fuel subsidies, my guy.
so i can be clear, i know its not taxpayer funds going to him, that was an analogy. i dont charge big waves like shippies etc, but if i did, i would have appropriate insurance in place to cover for injuries, loss of income etc. otherwise its just taking a huge risk. good on his mates for helping out with the costs, and i hope he recovers, but these kinds of waves are very dangerous, and preparation goes beyond your fitness and equipment.
yeah very fair point bruv - i hear you.
Fair point but from what I see insurance companies don’t plan to pay out if they can avoid it. Unless you were paying through the nose on premiums clause 3.11.127 on page 3,006 would state that if you hurt yourself participating in 1 of 10,000 high risk activities the insurer will pay zero. Same with private medical, I have it and actually have no idea what they have ever covered.
To be fair , let's not forget the massive subsidies given to wind turbines , large solar panel installations and large battery installations.
cool. remind me why this is problematic?
Massive expenditure of taxpayer's dollars to otherwise unviable industries is an unproductive waste of money which could have been better spent elsewhere , ie . health care , aged care , education and welfare.
Yeah aren't we spending like 700billion on secondhand subs?
& $100M for reneging on French Sub contracts
"In Australia there was backlash about spending $6 million in taxpayers' money for the (Aust. Navy) rescue of a lone sailor who knew the risks of what he was doing...."
Sailing round Antarctica (woops ... woza 'round the world' ....yacht race)
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-31/british-sailor-tony-bullimore-die...
Rescued twice... in Oz & again later in NZ
https://theconversation.com/why-the-australia-france-submarine-deal-coll...
frankly tell them to eff off. they will likely surrender
I understand the sentiment, but an old friend does this kind of rescue work and they fundamentally say it's good. You need to be consistently in action for your skills to be reliable when shit hits the fan. They don't even mind picking up unprepared bushwalkers from Mt Amos - it's all good practice, and it helps justifies their funding.
And like Stu said, looking at that list of donors there is maybe one or two I don't recognise as being from Southern Tasmania or connected to the surf scene down here.
Are you a Mercedes driving, bank worker in a pink polo shirt? I can't think of another archetype that would say something so stupid.
On yah scrotum way to show compassion.One can hurt themselves in 1ft surf just as easily as 20ft, the crowd fund was set up via a family friend as a way to help lift his sprints and ensure a young human life makes a full recovery from a very serious injury. your words are in extremely poor taste and phrased in a way that exposes your level of empathy. In short go fuck yourself,
Times two - and iwhat level of additional precautions and coverage do you know or not know that Harry and family have/had in place? Are you assuming that a friend opening a GoFund equates to no responsibility being taken? I'll make an educated guess that Harry was better prepared and versed (by his old man and uncle) in negotiating Shipstern than pretty much any of the young crew out there on that day. Total credit and admiration to James and the boat crew for being switched on and capable.Best wishes for your recovery cobes.
@scrotina
Dont worry as soon as i saw this article i had pretty much the same thought, i wouldn't have been as brave to say it though.
Doesn't mean we dont feel some compassion though.
BTW. to other posters, comparing government money spent on defence or fossil fuel subsides, is completely different, we spend money on defence to help keep peace or ensure we can defend ourselves, and fossil fuel subsides (or Green energy) is generally to encourage investment so our energy needs are met and what the government puts in they receive back many many times over.
While this is very different because lets be real its kind of selfish, your putting yourself in a high risk position for kicks, but when it gores wrong it cost everyone else a lot of money, and there is zero benefit to the general population.
It should also be noted, theres a huge difference between going for a surf in average waves where chances of something going bad are very low compared surfing waves like this that have a very real risk of shit going bad.
"we spend money on defence to help keep peace or ensure we can defend ourselves"
I don't think so. It's more commercial and diplomatic interest rather than peace and defense
Well yeah fair call these days there is that aspect too, but it's more the icing than the cake
I think you missed the point of the fossil fuel / defence quip there, mate…
@indo-dreaming
"While this is very different because lets be real its kind of selfish, your putting yourself in a high risk position for kicks, but when it gores wrong it cost everyone else a lot of money, and there is zero benefit to the general population."
Really? Zero benefit to society ? So you don't get anything out of watching people surf waves that you and I wouldn't dare to?
Art has a tangible benefit to society. It keeps us reviewing our lives and moving forward. I wonder how many people have thought they could also do something "special" by watching others do it. Well every human on the planet i suspect
Yes it's a selfish pursuit to surf these kinds of waves and put yourself in harms-way, but that is the nature of humanity, and it has it's benefits. 20 years ago, no one was surfing these kinds of waves, and yet here we are today watching 16 year olds charging the place [smart boy had his helmet on]
Most if not all art is a selfish pursuit, but it enriches our lives and prevents us becoming robots.
I do agree with you about being responsible for one's actions though. I hope he is going to be ok but for fuck's sake, wear a Helmet and an impact vest when surfing this wave or you are just asking to die.
Okay i should have chosen my words better "Zero benefit" was going a bit too far I should have just said very little benefit or close to no benefit.
But lets be real the benefit brought to others is pretty minuscule, It's not at all comparable to tax payers money spent on things that benefit all Australian's
BTW. 20+ years ago, guys were surfing Shippies, an old mate Andrew Campbell pioneered the wave paddle in and even use to surf it alone and surf it as good as anyone since, it was even exposed to the world in a video Pulse (filmed in 1999)
Andy talks about the experience in this recent interview, which is a great listen. (4:40 for Shippies talk)
pretty well nailed it here. when we dig up artefacts of ancient civilisations its almost always the art and culture. when we dig up our artefacts it will be uranium tipped armour piercing shells in ukraine and bioweapons labs. this kid had a go and was being a kid and pushing limits, its what moves the human species forward. you can plug data into endless probability matrix to manage risk but sometimes you just have to have a go. cheap to fix this kid compared to submarines for us to be US patsy in the region or 20 billion for negatively geared properties every year so poor harry and his mates cant afford a house. additionally ive seen people under pressure a lot in my life and MOST fail. james saved his sons life. this is what cool under fire looks like! this is an amazing story of love, survival and adventure. its probably a documentary to be honest!
+1
Scrotina. That’s a crap post in my opinion. A hell of a lot of Australians have turned into busy little ‘bean counters’ on behalf of the government. Way too often i hear petty quotes from every day people worrying about tax payers, if you haven’t already noticed, governments waste enormous amounts of money all the time. in the state in which i live we paid a design company $440 million not to build a mega diverter freeway. Put things in perspective. I’d like to hear your rant if it was one of your loved ones or yourself. Hope the young fella comes good asap. AW
Times 1000 Alfred. I’m over petty opinion making and bean counting.
what he said!
oh this forum is full of what i was coming to. let me have a read. wow. hazza gone viral
Generational opinions, are generational opinions, outdated due to lack of understanding. Probably don't know what crypto is.
I say get well soon!
Hmmm I wonder why insurance companies have started to lobby against community based crowd funding, when their profits are up to 4 time larger than the most popular crowd funding sites. Hmmm, let me think... strange, I just can't work it out.
anyone with half a brain knows crypto is a ponzi. not really indicative of much except gullibility.
Scrotum, They are not demanding money, they are asking. Don't give if you don't want to but keep your tight-assed shitty opinion to yourself. If you want to live life in cotton wool, go right ahead. Just don't ever ask anybody for anything.
Until the shoes on the other foot - and you are in need. FFS
Hope the young fella has the best possible recovery.
Have read most comments and just thought I'd throw you a little support, Scrotina.
You make a good point and one that many people think and you obviously wish the kid well. It's funny how people try and squash your opinion with their own opinion and tell you to not have an opinion... Haha
Well done for being ballsy and just saying it!
It was another bloke who put the gofund me up - not his immediate family, and people felt like they wanted to help him and give him some coin. The end.
Ken oath unpopular , I’m fully aware that line ups are full of idiot hipsters leggyless loggers these days so when a stray board gives my kid a head injury should Medicare let him die as I can’t afford the costs of his medical care, a bloke drowned and is very lucky to escape with his life and people write this shit for his already highly traumatised family to read. Why?
The reality is that anyone can ask for crowdfunding and anyone can choose whether to or not to offer funds for a multitude of different reasons, so it just seems like taking a moral high-ground is a waste of your time fellas.
I've seen much less worthy Crowd Funding campaigns than this one in my inbox.
I'm thinking about how the parents and older sibling must be feeling too - speedy and full recovery Harry. Not really a time, or forum, for judgment IMO; as a significant trauma like this can't be undone and will have a lifelong residue for all involved.
Firstly sorry to hear about the young fella. A traumatic experience for all indeed and a long road of recovery ahead. Maybe crowd funding is just the modern version of bygone days of a get well card with $100 shoved in it? I dunno but my initial take as a 50 yo was the same as where the original posters comments are coming from. Im sure the CF thing is not meant to raise issues and questions about taking physical and financial responsibility for your actions and potential outcomes...and yet it does. Did he have income protection? Did he have private health cover? Did he plan for and prepare for a likely and potential deadly outcome that could cause him serious long term physical and financial harm? Im just not sure if CF is just a more modern twist on the get well soon card or something people rely on when shit hits the fan and they havent prepared for it.... the old "she'll be right". I dont mean to cast dispersions either way but perhaps by posting this I am.
You gotta pay to play. Just not sure how I feel about crowd funding for these type of injuries from strangers.
If it’s a modern version of passing around a hat between friends then great I’m all for it, if it was someone I knew I would also throw some coin their way, however it’s been shared on swellnet.
I hope his mates and family can cover his bills plus extra, and I wish him a speedy recovery
My first instinct is to think like some of the posters here i.e. chasing thrills like this is a choice and you should be prepared to deal with the consequences. But ultimately, YOU have the choice whether to contribute to his crowd funding campaign. Don't like it, don't contribute. And like Stu said above, it's not the guy himself asking for money... it's his friends and family rallying around to help him out. Nothing wrong with that.
Wondering whether Swellnet will be contributing to this fund?
Given the volume of content the Shippies Crew provide to this platform I wouldn’t have thought that would be out of the question?
2 thumbs up for Swellnet if you have!
Jeez there are some angry old carnts around today,how about a bit of empathy douche bags.
Exactly mate.
Exactly. "Did he have income protection? Was he wearing a helmet? Has he consolidated his super funds and made a downpayment on an investment property?" Kid is a hellman, had a crack and came off second best. You can chuck him fifty bucks if you're so inclined or you can keep on scrolling. Your choice. nobody's twisting any arms.
Totally agree, would make you think that none of these guys have ever taken risks or had a bad outcome.
No obligation really implied by a crowdfund, seems like some surliness at a self imposed guilt.
I really wish him all the best, what a heavy heavy situation and big props to all those that acted so swiftly to save his life. I shudder to think how that must have been for his dad.
All of us who surf and certainly all of us who go out in waves over 8 ft could end up in some similar situation. Big big waves increase the risk but it's always there.
Have had a few close calls with blows to the head, some with a helmet and some without. Twice I've been hit hard by my board just where my helmet wasn't. Maybe I'm just a klutz.
Agree
Agree
well said. people are shit
it’s so simple really. we can donate or give well wishes for a full recovery. winging about people helping others is worthy of a slap in the face with their own shit! lol
well said. people are shit
it’s so simple really. we can donate or give well wishes for a full recovery. winging about people helping others is worthy of a slap in the face with their own shit! lol
Too many opinions, DAW. Too many angry old carnts, as you put it.
@Daw. For sure. Cannot see the problem here. Bloke got injured. Some other bloke said let's help him. People gave first bloke money through gofundme. The End.
The ‘waste of tax payers money’ chat is mind bending. Go into a hospital diabetes ward with that attitude
I must admit I do cringe a bit when some one living the life in Bali puts their hand out to get bailed back to Oz for hospital treatment when it all hits the fan.
I think this is is a different scenario for a lot of reasons, hope the young bloke recovers fully and has another crack.
Some of you have never heard of mutual aid and it shows, absolutely feral takes that you should be embarrassed to share.
Takes a stone cold heart to look at the photo of that young guy and read how he came close to dying and sit back and start tut-tutting on whether he should have insurance or whether he should get crowd funding. Every day it seems more cunts pop their head up to keyboard warrior or pass judgement in this country and I'm a bit fucken sick of it to be honest. If you can't empathize with a tragic set of circumstances like he is facing then shut up and let people who can take care of the guy without snipers taking shots at him or them. One day it might be you that needs help.
Very well said
I guess this is just the individualist utopia envisioned by our past leaders, no empathy for the poor or unfortunate, in fact we now take offence to people with the audacity to ask for help, and feel the need to have a whinge about it publicly
Thanks for expressing that, Totally agree,. So many comments from arseholes,tight arses and judgemental pricks. Stoked to see that some surfers can still show empathy,compassion,support and a few bucks for Harry and his family. For fucks sake it’s only money. It takes a special kind of arsehole to post a negative and unsupportive comment here. So take your ignorant shit comments and shove em right up your tight miserable arseholes.
“ His father James got to him on the jet ski as Harry was face down unconscious and not breathing, luckily enough, James was quick to respond, getting him out of water and straight to the boat where they started CPR. Shortly after, his body reacted, thank God, and they brought him back. ”
Imagine going for a surf with your son and seeing him in that condition. Faaaark.
So heavy. Hope Harry gets well, and that they have many more surfs together.
Heavy incident, lucky to be alive. This and Marty P's bit on stability, show how easily things can change. Nasty outcome but sounds like it could have easily gone the other way. Crew handled it when needed. Not only the wave but incidents such as this add to it's Heavyness. So often with photo or film of the incredible rides crew take you dont see the full intensity of what a place can throw up. Long way in and out , besides the intense surfing. Surprised more crew don't get hurt out there for how hard it is ridden. here's to a solid recovery. Crazy wave. Was going to mention that too goofy. Old man did what he needed.
Good luck with the recovery Harry. Buy your old man a beer when you are upright again.
Reading the above comments makes me feel very old, i remember the Aussie spirit and how proud we were to be able to feel like this naturally.
All i see here is attitude, lucky we can pick our friends, you guys wouldn't be mine.
Glad he's ok, if he survived that he will be strong enough to bounce back eventually but Live by the sword die by the sword, a true fuck around find out situation. Being humbled is needed and healthy and most of them need it. If this doesn't humble his father nothing will.
I just sent fifty bucks because of this hilarious debate, I don't know him, not part of the crew down south, probably never meet him. It's just not that big of an ethical dilemma, send some $$$ or not, your choice. Get well Harry hopefully we will all see you in the water again!
Good work mate. Well said.
Shout out to Danny Griffiths Thanks for writing all this ,
and those commenters of support, those who donate .
There are still good people of the surfin family, the brotherhood,
we love the Tasmanian surfers, the shipies crew, XXL mutants !
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, he will be back, i have no doubts Harry will heal up and surf again
Impressive effort from James to deal with what must have been a technically difficult rescue under immense emotional stress.
Long experience in heavy waves must produce a high level ability to handle such a crisis.
Hoping for a best case outcome for Harry.
Those Hollmer-Crosses... always hitting the fan at Shippies. Good luck yungfella
Goofyfoot nailed my first reaction to this article. Yet to feel the joy of sharing waves with my offspring but it's my dream... especially if they show the kind of commitment this kid obviously does.
Seeing them nearly die is the opposite of the dream...it's the nightmare every parent fears.
Everyone debating the crowd funding angle is missing the point.
This is a great result and he will get through regardless...so will his parents / family and friends....court have been the nightmare
I had a diving incident when I was 13 that if my old man hadn't been there may have ended in tragedy. Big respect for this young man's father for digging deep in crisis. One looks at the image supplied and wonders as the next generation steps forward to surf waves of magnitude do they really have the physical conditioning to handle those conditions? Elite athlete? Having posted few days back on other grom's clip At Shipsterns. He took a wipeout and was dragged almost half a footy pitch in that footage! That's a long time for any young man in dark turbulent water. This post makes me rethink. You guys are towing these kids into the ring with Tyson!
be positive ffs. if you don’t agree with helping people or just saying something positive to help them help thenselves then don’t donate and don’t post anything because if you really don’t want to offend anyone, saying nothing at all is probably the best option. i can’t afford to donate but i can relate to near death surfing accident 24yrs ago and wish harry and all involved all the best and have fun wherever and whenever possible. laughter is the best medicine after all
Fuck i dontated. After i broke my neck surfing earlier this year just up the road in 2 foot beachies, i had no luck accessing any income protection, even though technically i could. im a sole trader and work for myself so i had to go back to work to eat. It used to be the Aussie way to help each other out, but now i guess its just the Tassie way. ;)
It can happen anywhere. But for that to go down in that location at Shippies and they got him back and to Nubeena to get him to Hobart is an amazing effort. Well done crew.
I think a lot of you are missing the point, either donate or don't....the choice is yours. ...but for me the bigger picture is glad u survived harry, well done dad, imagine his emotions in the moment, terrifying...we always need chargers and as Aussies we should always help our own
I can’t believe the lack of sympathy from some of u tight arses . I mean what’s $50 to throw to a fellow surfer that ran the gauntlet.. if u think it’s a waste of money or they don’t deserve it then you’re wasting everyone else’s oxygen.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-01/calls-for-greater-safety-among-su...
All the very, very best for a full and rapid recovery for Harry.
The body is amazing at healing, especially when you are young.
Sounds like some good will come out of this as far as improving safety and making sure people are as prepared as they can be.
Yeah, and with people like James leading the charge on the issue it has to be a good thing. He's obviously well respected.
And I agree with his quote about the younger crew from udos' link.
"I think these guys are throwing themselves in the deep end pretty hard, and charging a lot harder than what we did." ..
I'm always amazed at seeing young blokes surf waves like that with seemingly reckless abandon.
Can we just talk about surfing please...............?
There's a bloke in my town who had a go fund me set up for him coz his van blew up - 10% of the 10K raised went to the van - the rest went up his nose - as I knew it would
At least those who choose to donate to Harry will be doing so for life changing help that he needs now and into the future
A couple of years ago a local surf photog had his camera gear "stolen" . He set up his own go fund me page to raise money to replace said gear...Bit of a pisstake I thought at the time, not exactly cancer or life threatening injury.
On reflection it does appear to have been a very millennial entitlement / reaction thing (in this guys case anyhow)
drum roll for NZ ACC, no fault universal accident insurance, self inflicted harm included, even covers tourists, there are some drawbacks (and some unhappy 'customers" to be sure) but compared to OZ compo at least 27 years ago when I lived there , and had to work with it, it's a dream.
Yes and best wishes for a speedy recovery to the young man.
Don’t know if this angle has been brought up yet but here’s my 2 cents.
One of the great privileges of living, working, and playing in a great country like Australia - is that we have done so well for ourselves that helping one another out (whether government or privately) is something we can do for each other without huge negative impacts societally or personally. In fact, our ability to provide safety nets of varying levels across many of our pursuits (RFDS, Marine Rescue, personal gofunds, volunteer relief efforts, family help, etc.) ensures that we are able to go further, push ourselves farther, and know all the while that should the worst occur the chances of us being okay eventually are much higher with these things than without.
People who surf waves of consequence are for the most part not lazy bludgers, they are highly motivated and success oriented people who add a great deal to society outside of their surfing exploits. That’s a generalisation I am happy to make as I know many and though there are the odd crusty Albanese Pro Surf Team members riding large or heavy waves, they are certainly in the minority.
Additionally, one of the great aspects of a gofundme, is that it is a great barometer for the social equity that person holds and their value amongst their given community. People who are deserving of the help will, by virtue of societal laws, receive that help on average, if their community can withstand the burden and are willing to do so.
I should add, as a transplanted Canadian/Kiwi I have no expectation of government providing a safety net, and my social circle is limited by my only having lived in Australia for 8/9 years. I am extremely lucky to have an excellent group of friends and acquaintances from across all coasts, and many different past times and interests. That being said, I would be surprised and overwhelmed to receive the sort of support that Harry is so fortunate to receive and I certainly do not expect it. I am pushing myself in waves of consequence within surfing and bodysurfing, but I am fully prepared to look after myself (selling assets, lifestyle change, etc.) should I receive a life changing injury. I felt like that needed to be said lest my position above be taken for one of entitlement and recklessness.
Wishing a full recovery to Harry, sounds like he may be dealing with this for a while.
I'm pretty sure, in fact very sure, that Harry and family are fully prepared to look after themselves and make significant lifestyle choices to resource their surfing - as they have had to do in previous instances of significant injury ( i.e. the JHX Hollywood Pedra wipeout) which must have seen the family income greatly effected. It's my understanding that neither Harry or parents had anything to do with instigating the GoFundMe page and are likely to be as overwhelmed and surprised as you might be in similar circumstances.
How's the young man doing? Bout all that matters really...
Getting on Well it sounds...in Good Health with Crowd fund at 28K..
Geez that 3rd photo is just evil looking.
Steps and fangs.
What a charger!!
Stoked to hear he's doing ok.
Am I missing something? No-one is asking anyone personally for a contribution. Either kick in, or don't. There's responses here that sound like a bunch of grannies coldly trading economic analyses in a European coffee house. In Australia we help mates and we help strangers, and we feel sad as shit at a story like this, whatever the circumstances. I'm with Wong, I'm going to contribute just to stop my head shaking. Best wishes to Harry, James and co. Glad it’s looking hopeful.
Let's surf shippies mate, never have, but if shit goes down I'll set up a go fund me page. See the irony.
Nope, don't see irony at all. You mean like rain on your wedding day? I wouldn't surf shippies in a pink fit. As for gofundme, you and I are not Hollmer-Crosses, we won't be in Tassie surfing history books. And this lucky escape has probably done a service, making young heroes think twice before trying to surf high-profile Aussie beasts for bragging rights ‘..if it can happen to someone with intimate wave knowledge, lifelong local-conditions guidance and family safety-support... let's think about this...’
We will also have the next 20 years of Harry, thankfully, being able to reflect on surf safety on one of the world’s most-watched waves. He'll be the Rodney Fox of southern surf. Let’s get him 50 grand, and let those outside the surf community do the tut-tutting.
I must be different. All I have been thinking is whether old man had crazy mad regretful thoughts about if this was his fault by introducing his son to this. When he was effectively dead and he was trying to save him.
That’s what I’m interested in. Must have been extreme!
Less regretful than never introducing him to living. and worrying about his son sitting in a room, alone with only his thoughts and that alone...no alternative.
But i'm sure we'll all ask are you ok, on the designated day, forgetting some crew are perfectly fine, guided, loved and living their true, pure life right there on the edge of the universe.....overcoming their/(our own) fears to put themselves in a moment that REALLY matters to be alive.
Worth throwing a few bucks just for that alone i reckon!
All i can think about is if all dad and son relationships were this solid, the world would be a better place.
Onya Holmer Cross clan.
I’ve egged my boys on. Not to surf this extreme as I’ve never been there either. Not even surf related. Just that moment must have been intense for old mate. Don’t over think it.
Missing the point as are most that have tried to detract from the reason this post is even here in the first place.
Just fuckin pay up or shut up hey. Farks sake.
Couple of things. If my tax dollars are spent on having the rescue bird available. Ive got no problems sending it out to save any Tom, Dick or Harry.
I would rather it be there when needed, we are paying for it anyway. How good is it to live in a place where no matter what heart pumping risky mission you want to take on, you know if it goes to shit. Someone might be coming to help. No matter what the cost.
And yes. Even you boo hooers who think that he should have had his own cover. When you fuck up one day unexpectedly. Before you could get your insurance in place.( yeah right) They will even come to get you too.
I’m not detracting at all. My post wasn’t about that AT ALl. Solely about what I said. Don’t be a Southern Paul
My thoughts on review... If I have a major accident doing a high risk activity that I enjoy doing with all the protocols in place..... and a mate of mine sets up a page like this to help me...well thats just mates being mates for mates.
so....Donated!
Legend family! Best of luck on the recovery Harry!
We put tax money towards helping people that smoke and over-eat, so it's hard to have any issue with tax money going towards people that injure themselves surfing. We live in a country that is compassionate even to people that put themselves in danger (which lets be honest we all have at some point). Hope the guy is OK.
Dear family and friends of the injured party, I’m genuinely sorry to see your appeal for assistance descend in to a shit fight, but thats how it goes on the net. Please find my donation in your account. And I wish Harry a happy recovery.
You'll be back Harry, Take your time and do the re-hab. you will be glad you did..
Benny Matson whats going on Mate...Yew
Your donation was a kind gesture seaweed, but dont make out you have never had any argie bargie on these forums. Ive read your posts on numerous occasions, where you are doing exactly what you criticizing.
One of the things that comes to mind after reading some of the comments is that it seems like most people have never been part of a proper surf community
The type of lineup where everyone knows each others names when you paddle out
Who is going what wave and almost to the minute what time some people are going to paddle out
The community where you can safely bring up your kids because there's always someone watching their back
Maybe in this day and age of overcrowding it's become a thing of the past in most places. Everyone is in it for themselves and their own self interest
Fortunately for Harry he lives in spot where everyone looks out for each other
And when the shit does hit the fan the community takes care of their own
Unfortunately it's becoming harder for the community to ask for help given the attitude of some
As a tax payer take as much as you need
Get well soon Harry
I'm surfing shippies tomorrow, never surfed the joint, take photos, give me a cover shot, ...
Shit hits roof on first wave, drown, ear drum, head trauma, send in helicopter, get on news, help me fix my bad decisions, so set up go fund-me page! Who's coming with me?
Heal up young charger! And hero job resuscitating at sea. I can’t imagine how Dad would be feeling during that ordeal.
Any update on Harry?