Dave Winner: The Man from Coalcliff

This episode is essential listening. Every human should take the time to listen to Dave's story. Dave Winner is a lifelong, all-season surfer and ocean swimmer. He can often be seen striding confidently into the surf, regardless of the weather. In August 2020, at the age of 69, large unpredictable waves caught him off-guard and swept him off the rocks and into a deep rockpool, where he was knocked unconscious and failed to resurface. Dave was under the water for more than 6 minutes while witnesses on the beach rushed to his aid.

It took five people to retrieve him from the water and carry him to safety, where he was given immediate, life-saving CPR by members of the public, including several off-duty first responders. Emergency services arrived, and more than 2 hours after leaving the water, Dave was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he remained in an induced coma for five days. After an agonising wait with his family by his side in the ICU, Dave regained consciousness. Sadly, he broke his neck and suffered spinal damage rendering Dave a paraplegic.

Dave was told he would never walk again. The doctors, however, hadn't met Dave before. Without giving this extraordinary story of bravery, determination and love away, he walked into this studio, un-aided to conduct this interview with his best mate, his son, Steve Winner.

There are lessons in this conversation that run deep and should connect with all of us. The common thread? Friendship and family. 

Please enjoy this conversation with this real life superhuman, Dave Winner and his son, Steve.

Please register for your first aid training here: https://www.surflifesaving.com.au/first-aid-courses/

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