Poseidon's Fury

by David Antonino (United States of America)

A leap into the unknown Australia

My heart was beating rapidly. I did not know what I was doing. In one quick sweep, I clicked the button: Submit. I was on my way to an internship in Australia. I boarded the big bird and flew across the Pacific ocean, seeing the waves roar below me. My passion for greek mythology peered into my head: Poseidon swinging his trident incessantly. Finally, I arrived, and to my surprise, the animals were not what tried to kill me. After a few weeks, I took a trip to the Gold Coast, a world-renowned surfing spot. My friend Braeden and I arrived and immediately went to the surf shop to rent some surfboards and wetsuits. "Where should we go surfing? We are amateur-intermediate skill level." "The point up by New South Wales and Queensland border would be killer, mate." "Alright. Boards?" "Well you are amateur, your buddy intermediate...so foam board for you and fiberglass for your friend," He told me with a smile. "Sounds good. Thanks, man!" "No problem, mate!" And Braeden and I were off. We arrived at the top of the point, and wow, what a view. The surfers like ants cutting through the waves. They looked quite good. It was a dream spot, visually perfect for the perfect surfer. Waves looked nice and there was an interesting cliff edge with tons of black rocks on one side. Eager to participate, Braeden and I went down to the beach. As we approached the waves only seemed to get bigger and bigger. I felt a knot in my stomach, but Braeden jumped right into the waves. I had to be confident. I jumped in as well. It wasn't before long that we got out to the drop-off, and I couldn't feel the ground at all. Laying with my chest on the surfboard, the waves suddenly seemed larger than life. Braeden could see it too. "We have to go under them!" He said as a wave approached. He pushed his board down and went under. I did too, but it did not work. A foam board floats too easily. I couldn't push it down hard enough against the intense power of the water, of Poseidon's fury. Suddenly, an environment I so admired began to feel like hell. I began to feel weak and Braeden got further and further away. I tried to yell after him but the waves roared back and kidnapped me from him. With my last bit of energy, I decided it was time to turn back. That was when my heart dropped and a wave hit me sideways, knocking the air out of my chest. Coughing up water with a sting in my eyes I looked back. All I could see were black rocks. The riptide had pulled me very far out and away from the pack. I was isolated and all alone. I didn't know what to do and I could barely think. The black rocks of Hades's hell seemed inviting. I turned the board around and took the biggest wave of my life- a seeming fifteen-foot wave- into the rocks. I attempted to find the best spot to land, but there was none. I hit the rocks and the foam board split. A wave came, I held my hands to my head and hit the rocks. Then another wave. And another. I was underwater getting thrown around for five to ten minutes with few gasps for air in between. I was experiencing intense shock and my whole body went pale. Another wave came and went. I began to think about my family, my girlfriend, my home. Then, I decided to look up, seemingly for the last time, and a hand reached out. Volunteers overlooking the cliff got to me. After getting to the top of the cliff, I saw I was bleeding all over. They said I was lucky and that a handful of people die on those cliffs every month. Looking back at this moment as I sit here in a coffee shop, it still haunts me. I have never taken a single moment for granted since then. What they told me still rings in my ears constantly: "I was lucky." I could be dead.