Aussie surfer’s uncanny encounter: ‘You've got a fish stuck in your face!’
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Life often brings about unexpected turns. One minute you're going about your regular routine, and the next, something completely unimaginable happens. Sound familiar?
We reckon we all have a yarn or two to share about peculiar incidents that have put a unique spin on our lives. One such tale emerged recently from the picturesque beaches of Indonesia, involving a Perth native and an adventurous fish.
Steven Kezic, a carpenter from Perth, was taking a breather from his daily grind during a surfing trip to Indonesia.
As Kezic was smoothly slicing through the waves, an unusually ambitious garfish made a spectacular leap out of the water and somehow managed to land itself onto — you wouldn’t guess it— Kezic's face!
The sharp beak of the garfish wedged itself into Steven's nostrils, narrowly missing his eyes.
You might be thinking, what in the world is a garfish? Good question! This slender sea creature, also known as a sea needle for its elongated body and razor-sharp beak, can reach impressive speeds when leaping out of the sea.
It seems the aquatic creature was in quite a hurry when it staged its aerial stunt and met with Kezic's face in mid-air.
Kezic, initially under the impression that one of his mates was chucking seaweed at him, was taken aback when he saw the grave expressions on his companions’ faces.
'One of the coaches came up to me and said, “You better stop. You've got a fish in your face,”’ Kezic recalled, still in a state of disbelief.
The full gravity of the situation only dawned on Kezic when he spotted the blood.
'It was realistically no pain at the time. I felt the pain when I was on the boat ride, and I didn't feel well after that,' he confessed.
Realisation dawned while the fish's beak pierced through the cartilage of Kezic’s nose, narrowly avoiding his eyes mere centimetres away.
Fortunately, one of his fellow surfers, Kyle Kophamel, was a qualified doctor. He quickly set up a makeshift surgery back on dry land, spending 45 minutes removing the fish beak and stitching up Kezic's facial wound.
This tale of Kezic's incident might tickle your funny bone, but it also serves as a reminder about the importance of safety procedures when venturing into the great outdoors.
It’s not just about ensuring you wear sunscreen and stay hydrated. Potential risks could come from any direction—the flying garfish in Kezic's story is a testament to that!
Australia, in particular, has witnessed a handful of such incidents where surfers and beachgoers have had sudden encounters with various marine creatures. Kezic's story serves as a hilarious, albeit painful, reminder to all beach lovers that the sea is a shared space.
These unexpected stories serve as valuable lessons and entertaining anecdotes, and what better platform to share them than right here? Now, it's time to hear from all you wonderful members! Have any of you ever experienced a peculiar encounter while out in nature? Perhaps a strange encounter with an animal?
We're eager to read your stories in the comments section! Remember to stay safe and embrace your outdoor adventures, whether sailing the high waves or exploring the dry land. Always keep your eyes peeled for those unexpected moments that gift us unforgettable tales to share.
We reckon we all have a yarn or two to share about peculiar incidents that have put a unique spin on our lives. One such tale emerged recently from the picturesque beaches of Indonesia, involving a Perth native and an adventurous fish.
Steven Kezic, a carpenter from Perth, was taking a breather from his daily grind during a surfing trip to Indonesia.
As Kezic was smoothly slicing through the waves, an unusually ambitious garfish made a spectacular leap out of the water and somehow managed to land itself onto — you wouldn’t guess it— Kezic's face!
The sharp beak of the garfish wedged itself into Steven's nostrils, narrowly missing his eyes.
A fish impaled an Aussie surfer’s face while he was on holiday in Indonesia. Credit: Unsplash/Jeremy Bishop.
You might be thinking, what in the world is a garfish? Good question! This slender sea creature, also known as a sea needle for its elongated body and razor-sharp beak, can reach impressive speeds when leaping out of the sea.
It seems the aquatic creature was in quite a hurry when it staged its aerial stunt and met with Kezic's face in mid-air.
Kezic, initially under the impression that one of his mates was chucking seaweed at him, was taken aback when he saw the grave expressions on his companions’ faces.
'One of the coaches came up to me and said, “You better stop. You've got a fish in your face,”’ Kezic recalled, still in a state of disbelief.
The full gravity of the situation only dawned on Kezic when he spotted the blood.
'It was realistically no pain at the time. I felt the pain when I was on the boat ride, and I didn't feel well after that,' he confessed.
Realisation dawned while the fish's beak pierced through the cartilage of Kezic’s nose, narrowly avoiding his eyes mere centimetres away.
Fortunately, one of his fellow surfers, Kyle Kophamel, was a qualified doctor. He quickly set up a makeshift surgery back on dry land, spending 45 minutes removing the fish beak and stitching up Kezic's facial wound.
This tale of Kezic's incident might tickle your funny bone, but it also serves as a reminder about the importance of safety procedures when venturing into the great outdoors.
It’s not just about ensuring you wear sunscreen and stay hydrated. Potential risks could come from any direction—the flying garfish in Kezic's story is a testament to that!
The jaws of the garfish are elongated and armed with sharp teeth. Credit: Shutterstock.
Australia, in particular, has witnessed a handful of such incidents where surfers and beachgoers have had sudden encounters with various marine creatures. Kezic's story serves as a hilarious, albeit painful, reminder to all beach lovers that the sea is a shared space.
These unexpected stories serve as valuable lessons and entertaining anecdotes, and what better platform to share them than right here? Now, it's time to hear from all you wonderful members! Have any of you ever experienced a peculiar encounter while out in nature? Perhaps a strange encounter with an animal?
We're eager to read your stories in the comments section! Remember to stay safe and embrace your outdoor adventures, whether sailing the high waves or exploring the dry land. Always keep your eyes peeled for those unexpected moments that gift us unforgettable tales to share.
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