Lucky escape for Newquay surfers as jetski fails at Cribbar

Thursday, 16 January 2025 16:57

PIC: Shannon Critchley

Two surfers had a narrow escape after their jetski suffered a mechanical failure while tackling the Cribbar, Newquay's renowned big wave.

Andrew Douglas and Rob Fowlie, both experienced big wave surfers, emerged unharmed, though they sustained a "sore hand" and a "hurt knee". The pair, who have travelled the world surfing big waves, were taking turns riding the Cribbar, with one towing the other onto the wave using a jetski.

Speaking to Radio Newquay, Andrew described the moment their jetski lost power:

"Rob turned around to me and said the power's gone, and then a wave hit us from behind. We tried to hold onto the sled – so that we could hold onto the jet ski and the sled. We had a safety driver out there as well, a back-up jetski, in case there were any mechanical issues so they could come and rescue us. But unfortunately, we were just in a bad position, and he could not get to us in time before a couple of waves hit us and washed the ski into the rocks," he said.

After being rescued by their back-up jetski, the surfers were safely towed back to shore.

Andrew says conditions were "pretty solid," with some wave faces possibly reaching up to 25 feet.

The jetski and broken surfboard ended up in a gully next to the rocks.

PRESS PLAY to hear more from Andrew about their dramatic experience.

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