OCEANS MATTER PODCAST 12 - BRETT CONNELLAN (SHARK ATTACK SURVIVOR)
Brett Connellan is humble guy with as much talent on a surfboard as you will find anywhere in Australia. It's a pretty common story growing up on a coastal town to be drawn to the ocean and even for young Australian kids to accelerate in surfing to the point where they could turn professional, except this story takes a very different twist.
Brett had been in the twilight of his surfing life putting good results together at club events and at the QS. One day Brett had been battling a rough day at work after his bosses surf store had been broken into. Naturally like any young surfer having a rough day at work the best medicine is salt water to wash it off.
After going to his local beach Bomboo for a twilight surf, which he would have done 1000's of times he met up with his good friend Scott. They surf for half an hour or so and Bretts gratitude towards the Ocean was shining through. Then next moment is something Brett could have never accounted for, in his terms its like winning the opposite of the lotto. The Illawarra area hadn't had a shark attack in 70 years and hasn't had one since. Brett and I dive deep into the moments that lead up to his attack and the terrifying moments afterwards where he has to battle the shark from coming back at him.
Brett is impressive for so many reasons but the biggest takeaway i have from his story is his calculated and open minded response to this freak situation. Brett holds no anger, resentment and retribution only admiration, appreciation and gratitude that he miraculously turns what could be a life derailing moment into rocketfuel to get up and get afterlife. It's the type of story that needs to be heard to be believed and afterwards you feel an infectious energy that is a reminder to always find the silver linings that life has to offer.
