Most are benevolent, but some are critical of the person who filmed the scene or even of Pierre-Olivier Coutant, who is accused of looking too much in the direction of the camera. The deaf surfing champion from Anglet looks back on this intervention and explains the circumstances.
“The idea, by broadcasting this video, is to remember that the ocean has its dangers”
How were you notified that two swimmers were in trouble?
I was in the water with two students. At times like these, I don’t have my hearing aids. When my students speak to me, I read their lips. But I am very careful to watch what is happening around me. That’s how I saw the mother of my two students, who was filming the lesson with her phone, waving to me to show me the two bathers in difficulty. At first, I just saw a girl struggling against the current. Between the two dykes, we cannot see it, but it is strong.
What did you do then?
With my board, I went towards the young girl and the boy whom I had seen in the meantime. I immediately saw that the young swimmer was exhausted. I hoisted her first onto my board. Then I helped the boy. I tried to reassure them by telling them that we were going to take shelter from the current. During this time, the mother who was on board had called the emergency services. One of my students joined me. This brought the two swimmers back to the edge. Alone, I would not have succeeded.
Why have this video been widely distributed?
Surfers very often intervene, particularly during periods when the beaches are not supervised, to rescue swimmers in difficulty. But it is very rare that we see it. On Saturday, the person was filming his children and continued when I intervened. The idea, by broadcasting this video, is to remind that the ocean has its dangers and that you have to be very careful before swimming, when there is no surveillance. I would also like there to be more warning messages along the beaches.
Did you have any contact afterwards with the two people you helped?
The girl’s mother contacted me. I have to meet her soon and I would like to give her a surf lesson so that she doesn’t stay on the trauma suffered last Saturday. Let her learn to love the ocean again. I haven’t heard from the boy, but I would like to see him again.
Some comments are surprised that you are staring at the camera that is filming you. How do you explain it?
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