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Rosy Hodge / image: © SPEX
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"This was the heaviest thing that has ever happened to me," said professional surfer Greg Emslie after an encounter with a massive white shark at Queensbury Bay yesterday - Sat 22 May.
An idyllic surf at the Eastern Cape point break, with fellow professional surfer Rosy Hodge, came very close to ending in tragedy, with Emslie being relentlessly circled and buzzed by a great white, and Rosy almost paddling straight into the danger zone.
"The whole thing must have taken about three to four minutes, but it felt like absolute ages,"said Greg. "I had plenty of time to size it up, and it was probably about four metres in length. It was like right out of the water. Both fins out, just staring at me. We had full eye contact for most of the time as well, just fully sussing each other out the whole time."
East London is well-known for shark encounters and attacks, and there was an attack a few weeks ago down the road at Port Alfred. While this didn’t lead into an attack, it was enough to rattle the two surfers properly. "I was just thinking, this is it," said Greg. "I’m going to get hit. It kept on coming at me, while I sat with my feet up on my board."
Rosy had just caught a wave and had ridden it in. When she started paddling back out, she had no idea what was going on. as Rosy recalls, "Then Greg started shouting and I thought, ‘Oh cool, he’s claiming my wave.’" Rosy continued to paddle. "Earlier in the day we had had some dolphins around and when I saw the two fins I thought there were two dolphins by Greg. As I got close I saw that it was a gaint shark, showing it’s dorsal and tail fin, and I realised that Greg was in serious trouble."
The shark continued to circle Greg, occasionally darting towards him and then veering off. "All I could think about was that I hadn’t said goodbye to my wife and kids," said Greg of those panicky moments. "We had been to a kids party in the morning so my wife and kids had fallen asleep, exhausted, and I slipped out for a surf. I always say goodbye to them, and this time I didn’t." Greg is married to Chantel and has a son Dave, aged three and a daughter Taylor, aged one.
Rosy takes up the story. "Greg shouted at me to go in, and I remember saying ‘What about you?’ but there wasn’t much I could do so I headed over the rocks."
"Rosy was so brave," said Greg. She was wanting to help me, but if the shark had checked her it might have gone into attack mode, so she did the right thing and headed in."
Then a wave appeared. "The shark was watching me so closely, we were just staring at each other. full on eyeball to eyeball. The shark definitely checked the wave as well, and was waiting to see what I was going to do. It was so close and the situation was so tense, and I thought that if I started paddling, it would simply attack. so I waited until the last split second. I did like one stroke, caught the wave and went left and straight over the bricks."
Rosy was desperately clambering over the rocks. "I was climbing over the rocks and I turned around and saw Greg on the rocks. I was so relieved, it was beyond belief. I started crying on the beach. It was all so scary," said Rosy. Even hours after the incident she was still emotional about it all. "Flip, I still felt completely vulnerable even on dry land. I ran home. My home overlooks the point, and I asked my mom, where’s dad? My dad had gone to the shop to by onions. The most radical thing happens to Greg and I, in full view of my house, and my dad had gone off to buy some onions."
What does this mean for these East London surfers and their water time?
"Well, first things first, I’m going to church," said Emslie. "I’m serious."
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This Is GOD Speaking:
This IS god. It was I who saved you Greg. I was responsible for the invisible barrier between you and the shark and that is what prevented you from being attacked I was just trying to make up for what happened in Rwanda a few years ago...I was making tea at the time...doh!). I expect you to attend church each and every Sunday for the rest of your life. In return, I will make sure you never again get caught inside, and every wave you get will be the deepest, sickest shack possible. Amen!
2010-06-04 12:29:10
Josh:
Everyone has a choice Grant. that is the stupidest thing i have ever heard.
2010-06-04 09:37:29
Grant:
I have respect for people who use logic and reason....not fantasy. And you are correct, I have as much clue about the tooth fairy as I do about god. Neither exist. My comment was not about god saving him, because clearly I don't think that. The offense comes with people who comment that it was god who saved him. Big difference.Rather keep that to yourself.
I do have sympathy for people who believe in "god" as most haven't had a choice...they have been taught to believe in god by their parents and society and what you are taught as a child generally stays with you for most of your life. Unfortunately, questioning a belief that you have held since you were a child is not something that most people do. It always amazes me that otherwise intelligent people hold a belief that is so clearly delusional. As the saying goes, "you never know until you know", and once a previously god fearing person engages their brain and thinks for themselves, there is no returning to the delusional phase of their life. Respect? No god-believer is worthy in my book....
Book of Grant 8ft: 15sec SW: light SE
2010-06-04 01:16:14
curt:
not what you want
2010-06-03 17:55:41
rasish:
I have had an all to close encounter with a shark at Byron Bay. Like you i was at its mercy and for reasons i guess only god knows it let me be. Damm you were lucky, it's like the shark was honing it's skills. Like the old saying goes " it's the ones you don't see"
Glad everything worked out guys, nature has a way of making one feel so helpless at times.
2010-06-02 20:15:55
God:
Thanks for all the big ups guys and girls. Haven't seen so much attention coming my way on a surf site for ages. Greg did you go to church the next day? I can't remember if i saw you, we had a bit of a skop up here Saturday night.
2010-06-02 10:12:33
frewuigi:
Greg and Rosy ,
glad to hear it all worked out in the end . Greg man , nerves of titanium mate , its quite hard not to panic when a beast is sizing you up .I would panic. It does change your life and it really makes you appreciate everything sooo much more . Hope that theres some good surf coming to your town this week , get out there guys , cars are lot more dangerous than sharks .
Gambler man(Skunk- Punk ) , the reel sharks are the ones behind the card deck and if people want to thank God or Buddha or who-ever ... thats great .
2010-05-31 22:18:09
Andre:
Bliksem, I got "hoendervleis" reading this.
I am trying to figure out why the shark didn't attack? Glad it didn't,
I think he knew Greg isn't a Bulls supporter!
2010-05-31 21:23:42
Aaron:
Well, it's clear that the Lord has gotten our attention with this one!
I pray that we will all consider our lives and that true life is found in Jesus Christ! He is Creator and sovereign King, and I thank Him that he protects both Greg and Rosy!
Check out Nehemiah 9:5-6 and Luke 8:22-25!
2010-05-31 20:32:57
Trev of you.:
Sorry to hear what happened. I'm sure it scared the daylights out of you. Really happy nothing happened to you both. Guys lets not over look nature. What happens when I lion checks out a little buck and then for some reason decides to leave it for another pray latter, is that G-R-A-C-E too. The universe is awesome and GOD is awesome but lets not get all religious about it. Remember GOD created the ocean and allows us to enjoy it. Just look what we ultimately do to it.
2010-05-31 19:58:02
bobby:
thats hectic and I am glad to see that you managed the situation very well cause I doubt very much whether god had anything to do with the out come ...keep the faith bra..
2010-05-31 13:38:02
Like:
Emslie has it right.... Mate you better thank G-d for the divine intervention!!!
2010-05-31 08:20:10
Ozzythom:
Crap! close call... I saw a penguin surfing the other day on the east coast of oz and it freaked the S#%t outa me, til i realised what it was... We tread a fine line every time we enter the water here in Australia, South Africa and the west coast of the USA... but it'll never stop me headin out in the line up... dont forget to pray to Huey!!
2010-05-31 06:12:41
woohoo:
Mate you better thank Buddah for his divine intervention.
2010-05-31 01:19:37
Anderson:
Hi all,
This story was spooky. I am writing from Oz and have surfed in East London before. I can just picture all the drama you two went through. Gosh! I am so happy to hear you guys are ok. I have had enough of shark attack stories here in Australia. They were all pretty sad. I am very glad you guys have escaped intact from this one.
Good on you!!! Love you guys and love South Africa too.
2010-05-29 14:01:46
Shaun in West Oz:
Greg/Rosy...Nooit bru - heavy ek se! Whez my buddy Lampeez to get the footage when you need him?! Get that doco done Foot, I'm still waiting....See you okes next time I'm back in Slummies. Stay safe.
2010-05-29 06:31:08
Matthew:
Had a similar experience at JBay (The Point) many years ago; it was 2-3 foot, slightly onshore and just me and my mate out surfing just after sunset. A shark pulled up about 10 metres away with its dorsal fin and tail fin showing (about a metre and a half gap between the fins). It turned in our direction and that same second my mate and I paddled as fast as we could towards the rocks, we were just waiting to feel a knock on our boards but thankfully it never came.
PS: to the Humanist/Atheists on this board, humanistic beliefs (Stalin, Mao, Lenin, to name but a few) has killed more people in the last century than all religions combined in the entire history of mankind.
Good on you Greg, may Yahweh bless you. I once surfed out at Boneyards just with you out. You make us Saffas proud!
2010-05-28 14:27:35
mark fessler:
What a horrible experience, glad you you allright, take care. frenchy
2010-05-28 13:58:44
Nick:
I surf in sharky water in South Australia and happily have a sharkshield on my board (http://www.sharkshield.com/Content/Product+Categorys/Surf/) Hopefully I won't have situations like described at East London. I wouldn't surf there without one.
2010-05-28 13:04:20
realist:
where was god for michal, please dont try and oppress humans with your beliefs, where was your god when his religious people molested children, leave surfing alone and dont try and ram religion down our throats
2010-05-28 13:01:45
richie collins:
glad to see u guys r ok. seen a lot of sharks around the world big and small, but nothing like that. had to leave the water a few times and just recently with my daughter meah in florida and just the other night here at the newport pier. never fun. see u at the US Open.
2010-05-28 06:54:54
gunna:
Had a similar expereicne in WA, south. 2 other fellas and I surfed a famous left, and were pretty amped as it was going off and we were out first. Caught some great waves, saw lots of wild life, dolhpins, penguins, seals and then a whale. We were all thinking how cool. Then we spotted two large fins to the surf spot just to our north... 100m away. They were in the impact zone and they were both friking big fins. We all turned around the headed in. hearts punding and advising all others making their way down on the situation..As I returned from the beach I passed a monument for a guy killed a few years before by a bronzie/tiger (their still not sure). I am glad that I was not the next ... and hey I got to surf the next day and am still surfing, so when you spot one now matter how good the surf is, is it really worth tempting fate? Not me... Damn lucky Greg and Rosy.
2010-05-28 03:08:56
shredda:
This makes me think about buying one of those shark shields. I guess they only work if you wear it though.
2010-05-28 02:39:26
nz:
cool story... way to much god talk in the comments though
2010-05-28 02:23:53
Squizz:
grant, have respect, how can you say that when GOD saves some one it is offensive, you have no clue who GOD is, you are so delusional.
2010-05-27 21:53:17
Squijibo:
It's all good ous - whether it's odds or faith that kept 'em alive, the point is Greg and Rosy are ok.
What we should really be debating is what's up with all these bastard great whites swimming around??
2010-05-27 20:00:30
grant:
quite the opposite in fact bru...i don't believe in god, i reckon he is clearly a creation arising from the mind of man. my beef is when okes come on and shout it to the rafters that it was god's hand that saved him. i find it offensive, just as i'm sure they are offended when i say god doesn't exist. only i keep that to myself normally. i do have something to say when people come on shouting about god. you want to put your belief on a public forum, then i'll reply with mine. rather keep it to yourself and i won't have to point out how offensive and delusional you really are ("you" being the general "you", not the oke who posted a reply to my post).
2010-05-27 17:45:12
@grant:
Why must owes get their back up when the F word flies around! If you want to believe that Greg was pain ol' lucky, fine. If you, like Greg, believe that there was some divine hand here, let it be. Why bash owes because of their faith or lack of. To each their own.
2010-05-27 14:36:52
douche:
In the daily dispatch article about the same incident:
Natal Sharks Board spokesperson Geremy Cliff said the fact that Emslie did not panic probably saved his life. Emslie said: “The only time I closed my eyes was to pray… when I opened them a wave came straight at me and I took one stroke and caught it. “The next day I went to church.”
2010-05-27 14:28:32
sAtan (but actually Skunk(:
Roll the dice boys, roll the dice...
2010-05-26 07:12:00
chrisT:
No,that was not luck.
the right word to use here - G R A C E!
4get th gamblin option.
2010-05-25 23:48:30
Nils:
see u in church/ water...
2010-05-25 21:00:19
Skunk:
Nah Grant, pull in ekse. I was just chooning earlier that Greg shoulda used his good odds to hit the Casino after the kerk. When you're on a roll, you're on a roll.
2010-05-25 17:42:14
grant:
I guess this is a Christian surf site then? no place for atheists....
2010-05-25 16:45:18
Peekay:
Eish, seriaas encounter, glad all ok tho bro
2010-05-25 16:15:55
Craig:
Hey Greg, now that's a story you tell your kids and your kids' kids! If you are serious about the church thing, we'd dig for you and your fam to visit us in Gonubie. Give me a shout at craig@seasidefc.co.za. Kief.
2010-05-25 14:14:19
len the bodyboarder:
Hi Guys, Glad you are safe. May the Lord protect you!
2010-05-25 10:39:03
loop:
Faaaaark.
It must be hectic cos you had time to think and try be rational....usually its a panic paddle to shore but this was a wait and see game. Not cool. Glad you can talk about this one Emo and Rosy.
2010-05-25 08:24:56
marc.T:
woah, glad you guys had the presence of mind to keep focussed in a stressful situation. Its that time of year again i guess, the shatky months. (my bro was atacked at buffels in aug 1998) and we have had regulaer sightings since then but fortunately no attacks. We did have an incident about three years back in the buffels beachbreak, where a knee boarder (brett) was sized up by a 4m pointer for almost three minutes like in greg and rosy's experience. the shark stopped infront of brett and they had a few minutes of face to face action as brett just calmly kept is face a body square to the shark and just dominated and mimic its actions so as to confuse it slightly (i guess showing no fear and patience and deliberate actions is not a nornaml scenario for a shark looking for a quick meal??) anyway that shark took off into the water and was not seen again that day......
but to greg and rosy, wow, what a freaky encounter... stay safe ...!
2010-05-25 06:58:23
sly:
weird - i met greg at the airport for the first time 10 days ago and gave him my theory that gw's are now moving out of over populated false bay breeding ground and heading up the east coast (and nudging around to dunes etc on west side) - me thinks we will see more sharks and less surfers, divers, swimmers, paddlers . . . . stoked yr encounter worked out ok
2010-05-25 01:38:14
Shaun:
Bru, i am so stoked you and Rosy got out of that heartstopping situation with everything intact. Having been in the water when AC and Bruce got taken i can just imagine what that must have been like. I hope your new perspective on life takes you to greater things, especially in establishing a relationship with God. Keep ripping and don't stare to hard at anyone.....you'll scare them, cheers bru.
2010-05-25 00:05:42
cleanrat:
I've been watching a lot of shark attack documentaries on DSTV lately- seems the Great White's are very cautious and usually size up their meal before going in to wound the prey, they then come back to fill their gut. The shark usually doesn't take that long though, 1 or 2 drive-bye's and then bam! I'd say it's a case of Emslie in the sharks den.
Stoked the Foot's still kicking.
Psalm 91.
2010-05-24 23:56:35
red:
wavedet@yahoo.com...surfer from ny for 45yrs. Surfed the point at j bay in March of 2010 and had similar incident only stupidly cut my foot on the reef and didn't want to give up my only chance to surf 4'to 6' j so I didn't go in. My wife watched from the beach with CAMERA IN HAND and thought I was being circled by a dolphin and didn't take any pictures. 45 yrs of surfing around the world and first time I've seen a shark in the wild. Locales on the beach told me there was nothing to worry about it was a little white.I asked there idea of little and they said only about three meters!I asked if there was nothing to worry about why did everybody leave good surf and they answered"thres no sense being silly about it".This thing passed several times within seven feet and completely paralized me.This was one of the major experiances of my life,know what you've been through!
2010-05-24 21:38:24
Nick:
Back in 2008 I was on my own at a local spot on the kzn south coast when I got stuck with a tiger and it was the most scared that I have ever been and ya fully shook my sense of reality. When it comes down to the end the only things that matter are your friends, family and the big guy upstairs.
2010-05-24 19:19:27
kyle-koffie:
nerves of steel bro... and a matching pair of nads to go with them. Respect.
2010-05-24 16:10:31
Grammar Nazi:
Wow, what an intense story.
I saw one or two grammatical errors and a punctuation error here and there.
You might want to proof read.
2010-05-24 14:02:18
Adin:
Gee whiskers!! what a heavy encounter ! stoked you guys are A-ok
2010-05-24 13:36:40
dougal:
Thank the lord that you guys are well. Both of you are brave souls. I'm never gonna try a staring comp with you Greg - clearly you'll win - you won over a 4m GW shark.
Stoked your fit and well.
2010-05-24 12:50:24
Frikkie:
Greg! WELL DONE BRO! You just sat there, which is the best thing you could have done...Yaaaahhhhooooo! You guys made it, and know this, you might not have if GOD was'nt in your life already. Meaning, GOD see's the good in all of us, and does the neccessary for us to overcome situations similar to this... Just wake up with a simple prayer in the morning, I do... "Thank YOU LORD for Everything!" "Amen"
Now, GO!, get back inn the water guys... Queens is a hectic spot though!
Cheers F (Gordons Bay)
2010-05-24 12:44:34
Bodysurfer:
Hey Greg, just reading below starts to put the reason for that visit in perspective:-)
I was looked at at Boneyards last year and again at my favourite spot, "Caves" here near Strand just months ago. What I am saying is, get back into that water as asap. If you had been on the menu the headlines would have been very different. Sharky probably wanted to play and was waiting for you to throw a ball or block of wax or something. Rosy, you did the right thing. And no guys, he is not "the same shark" etc. That fellow is probably here near us at Caves by now. Wetty on, wax on and get back out there....after that visit to Church of coarse! R
2010-05-24 11:57:35
Deon:
this story made my stomach churn
and I am so glad you guys are okay
my boet and I saw one the other day off Boneyards that we also thought was 2 dolphins -
its their time of the year
keep on your toes everyone
2010-05-24 11:39:22
Skunk:
I'm a gambling man more than a religious man. The way I see it, Greg's odds were 50-50. He was going to get picked off like takeaway at the Queensberry drive through, or he was going to get a gap and run over those rocks faster than he's ever done before. Heads or tails. Win or loose. As a gambling man, I'm equally stoked the guy made it in unscathed. Hit the blackjack table after church Greg, you're on a role china.
2010-05-24 11:19:38
Samuel:
"Well, first things first, I’m going to church," said Emslie. "I’m serious."
Emslie, hope you find God's Heart at church! He loves you so dearly!
2010-05-24 11:12:38
Michelle:
Hectic story. Glad you both are ok. Someone was definitely watching over you.....
2010-05-24 10:56:52
GAZ:
God was seriously watching out for ya bro.
2010-05-24 08:32:11
Jo:
Hi Greg and Rosie,
I can only say that you both had a lucky escape and that the Good Lord had His Hand on you both. Take care both of you and keep going to Church; I am South African and have lived in the Uk for many years and I really miss the SA weather,so lekker man !!!
Kind Regards Georgia .
2010-05-24 00:02:32
Hugh:
Sharks sound like a bit of a kook hustling for waves from EL royalty - should have just sent him in!
2010-05-23 23:57:30
Chappy:
Rosy/Greg
Wow, what an experience! We are stoked you survived the ordeal. The 3-4 minutes must have felt like 3-4 hours. Thinking of you, Chappy
2010-05-23 18:45:38
Sparkle:
I think WE CAN THANK GOD 4 PROTECTING BOTH OF THEM. I just beleive that THE LORD ALMIGHTY'S GAURDING HAND WAS UPON THEIR LIVES AND IT PROVES AGAIN GOD'S GRACE AND HIS POWER IS MAGNIFICIENT AND GREATER THAN ANY SHARK MAGNIFICENT. GOD BLESS ROSY AND GREG
2010-05-23 15:55:49
sandra:
Hi greg and rosa so happy that you are ok hope you are relaxing now and destressing...it must have been so scary lots of love
2010-05-23 15:53:34
Bruce Viaene:
Stoked you guys are okay! this should thin out the crowd for a bit!
I wonder if this is the same shark that attacked Michal not even 3km away..?
Bruce
2010-05-23 14:29:38
James:
And they say that we are more likely to get struck by lightning! In Sa that rationale does not apply (particularly E.London). Thank the Lord Greg and Rosy are alright. Would love to know if the incident will plague them the next time either of them paddle out?
2010-05-23 13:38:01
Squijibo:
Holy crap. That is the heaviest story i have heard in a longgg time. Rosy, Greg, so stoked you guys are ok.
2010-05-23 12:51:06
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