Chip In For Joe Hoffman's Medical Bills
As reported elsewhere on Swellnet, last Monday Joe Hoffman was attacked by a shark while surfing at Crescent Head.
The shark hit him broadside while duckdiving, biting into his left arm and chest. The watermelon size hole in his board a testament to the size of the jaws that latched onto him.
Fortunately for Joe, two doctors were nearby and stemmed the bleeding by making a tourniquet from a legrope. The quick thinking docs likely saved Joe's arm, though the result of that is not yet a sure thing.
Joe will also require ongoing medical help during his recovery, and it's unlikely he'll be able to work for a while.
Family friends have organised a GoFundMe page for Joe to help him get through the rehab long after the media fanfare dies down.
Comments
Bloody awful, so sorry to hear of that scary event. Interesting that there is an eye painted near the bite. I’m wondering if the shark could see that eye and if it made any difference? It does look like it’s on the deck, but I wonder if there was another one underneath. I have large circular images of snakes on some of my boards with a dot in centre which I hope double as a shark deterrent- but I don’t know. I’ve been mighty close to lots of sharks but luckily so far nothing too physical - got tail slapped once and splashed a few times. Gets the heart rate up!!
It's not an eye, it's the logo for Outer Island surfboards.
As for Shark Eyes, we have an article here you may find interesting:
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2020/11/18/eyes-wide-open
Those eyes you see are 'spirit eyes', often painted on the bow of Balinese boats for good luck, and used by Mitchell Rae on his Outer Island boards since 1980 - when he was living in Bali.
Stylised and facing the sky, they won't do a thing to ward off sharks.
If you want to stop an ambush predator with false eyes then Shark Eyes are the go.
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2020/11/18/eyes-wide-open
Mitchell does put them on the bottom ..but there not scary looking
Wow he makes some beautiful boards
Use the public health system maybe?
Income protection insurance?
Awful for the guy, shudder to think of the trauma.
Not sure that he,his family or friends should be asking to fund his private treatment though
Amazing what people will write anonymously...
No-one is being forced to do anything here, it's entirely voluntary.
I think it's entirely legit asking for assistance under the circumstances. Got me thinking though. I didn't realise there isn't a government run, no-fault, user funded, accident compensation scheme with income protection in Australia. We have one here in NZ and it works well. You can't sue here if you get injured either. You just get compensated by the scheme. We don't seem to have any more accidents here but we certainly have a lot less lawyers. If necessary the at fault party may be prosecuted by the powers that be, but that's about as far as it goes.
Bit rough TD. Blokes just asking for a hand..Nothing wrong with asking for help if you need it. If you want to help him then do so. If you don't then don't. It's pretty simple really. No need to question the reasoning behind it....
That's what good friends do. They do what they can to help a friend in need.
Are you for real? Heaven forbid that it'd happen to you but for others to chip in for rehab to someone they don't even know just goes to show that a lot of punters are in a different world than you. (Privileged life maybe, or just a chip on the shoulder) In fact I'd reckon even you'd get some supporters even after a lame comment like that.
How much did you put in Thommo?
I like to know the story before I donate and I always do it privately and anonymously.
Another good example: Derek Hynd once owned possibly the most lucrative piece of surfing real estate in the world but somehow fell on hard times and a go-fund me page was also set up when his house burned down. Did you donate to him and if not why not?
Fell sorry for Joe but a public health system exists for free and if you are going to give money to him to support his loss of income then I guess to be consistent you have to donate to every similar shark attack victim. Everyone's got a story in one form or another but I like to give my money only when I know the story. Call it value judgement of sorts but I'm happy with both the amount of money I've given away and who has received it
Jeez, you come across arrogant...
Do you think that you alone are in control of your volition?
That other people are being duped by outside forces?
Crowdfunding is not new, everyone knows the deal, no arms are being twisted, they are free to contribute or not without being harangued by some twat who thinks he's got inside knowledge.
And your line about "having to be consistent" by donating equallly is just naive; reads like the thought process of someone on the spectrum.
Anyway, your contribution in this thread has brought things to a head:
Swellnet is a website created by real humans, that's read by real humans, featuring stories about real humans - such as Joe Hoffman.
Joe isn't a fiction that you can bounce theoretical ideas off. He's flesh and bone, and he has friends equally as material, who read this site and come across your heartless and gutless anonymous contributions. What sort of a person writes that when people are suffering?
From now on, comments such as TD's in crowdfunding threads will be deleted. Crow about free speech all you want but it's Swellnet that cops the muck you throw.
If you feel so strongly, write it on your own social media channels, under your own name.
Well said Stu..........theres always one
Don’t get me wrong, I feel awful for the guy. Can’t imagine his trauma.
Never found out though, privately insured? Income protection insurance?
My IPI costs me a fortune but I’m covered for injuries sustained during recreational activities
Mate, I'd quit now. You're not even ahead and seems like no one is prepared to back you up. Who gives a shit if he has private insurance or IPI. Would you go to the family (face to face) and ask the same question? I'm thinking you'd only be prepared to comment online. You have a skewed sense of reality. See ya in the water one day. Yeah nah.
Bloody oath. +1 to that Stu.
WTF..and why not ! ?
not everyone can get income protection insurance TD.
as a surf journalist I am ineligible.
he may be the same.
there'll be a long road back where he might not be able to work.
give a brother a helping hand.
or at least not a kick in the head while he is down.
As long as you provide a helping hand to every privately insured brother or non-eligible IP insurance brother along the way then you’re fine Freeride
You should know better than to offer an opinion counter to the general line of reasoning on this forum. They love a good pile on here.
Bit rich from someone going by the moniker Bob Hawke Surf Team...
Couldn't pay your own way?
Pile on!!! We preferred to think of it as a fully paid sponsorship! You did what you had to do to surf full time back in the day… and we milked it for everything we could get. Late 70’s, early 80’s were a different time. Differing opinions were valued. Now I more than pay my way. So cough up and donate to the poor fellow instead of beating your chest.
I’ve been hung drawn and quartered by the masses and the journos on here for less of an inflammatory statement
Hope the dude is recovering ok. What a thing to go thru , hope he can can back to surfing again one day
With friends like you, who needs enemies.
Doctor Durden you are a tool - an old Bitou Bush line comes to mind..
Happy to donate to a worthwhile (for a change) cause...just hope Joe is OK.
I noticed Micheal Tam donated but not his brother Tim.
10/10
I’ve met a packet of Tims in my time and they’re all sickly sweet to your face but once gone I get a strange gut feeling from them
I'm in , good luck Joe! fckin awful thing to happen
TURDenTyler, a more appropriate name I’d say. Are you for real ?
What ever happened to chipping in for one us when it’s needed the most. Still can’t believe your so called rationale.
Chipping in for your mates in troubled times, sounds like something from a land far away and long ago. Strength to all who contribute.
Just been informed that my son's grade 3 teacher is Joe Hoffmans mum, and she will be away for next couple of weeks to support Joe's urgent medical needs. Bit rattled from that.
Even with private medical insurance there is always the extra out of hospital rehabilitation expenses etc, so it felt good to have chipped in a donation along with many generous others.
It's an unfortunate world and an unfortunate site swell net
For people who show the lack of empathy and compassion for their own ego just to be noticed
Keep it to yourself
Signing out of this site
I was there helping his friend if U question why I have commented
The bigger problem is the near zero moderation with all the foul mouthed comment and insults.
If your a girl I wouldn't recommend this site.
Good for the webcams if you subscribe.
Mr. Kovacs, well done for helping his friend mate. That is true human spirit and compassion at work.
If you have just joined this forum to spray your disrespect for the minority of trolls, who question making a donation, you should possibly explore the content of subject related matter on other threads to see how heavily this subject matter is discussed and intensely debated. [ I am not talking donations, I am talking the risk of surfing in the sharks habitat] Go Fund Me is now a new subject.
There is NOT one surfer on this forum who are NOT directly rocked to the core every time an attack takes place, and we have all been rocked heavily over the years.
To sign in, spit your disgust, and sign out is fairly weak.
Stick around and contribute mate..
Footnote: Had a mate attacked by a GWS at Outside Castles S.A 1977 and all he wanted was a Chilm and a ride to Ceduna.
I think its Ms Kovacs .
Sorry Udo
Stick around and contribute you big girls blouse....
“….all he wanted was a Chilm and a ride to Ceduna.”
Hopefully he got both
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/au/news/breaking-news/surfer-insura...
Interesting reading through the comments on crowd funding I can to some extent understand some the negative attitude towards it... but there much more to it than just money.
Suggest those with the lack of compassion over finances look deeper. .
I went through an attack (not the victim) and have seen the other side close at hand all the gut wrenching emotion on love ones and family.
Not only did the go fund me help with finances to a degree but also gave an opportunity for all in the community and local tribe to pass on words of love and support that was well appreciated and to some extent meant more than the money.