Vesna Andric, 46, Tathra, NSW, tells her inspirational story to Take 5’s Natasha Todd
Gazing up at the black cloaked sky, strewn with stars, I smiled.
What a way to start the year, I thought.
It was New Year’s Eve and I was camping in Narooma, NSW, with my Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club teammates and our families.
The next morning, we’d begin the first leg of the George Bass Surfboat Marathon – the longest and toughest surfboat race in the world.
Over seven days and seven legs, we’d row 190km down the NSW coast, starting at Corrigan’s Beach in Batemans Bay and ending in Cocora Beach, Eden.
It was a competition my 10 teammates, Kate, Kim, Suzie, Penny, Valerie, Kelli, Louise, Sharon, Megan, Scott, and I had been training two years for.
At dawn each morning, including Christmas Day, we’d been straight into the boat and out on the water.
For the last six months we’d added in gym sessions, too.
It was tough, but now we were finally here, it seemed worth it.
The atmosphere on the beach was electric. Surf clubs from all over Australia had come to compete.
When our turn came to set off, we readied our boat.
“We can do this, ladies,” I cheered.
Adrenaline pumped through us as we rowed like never before.
Only four of us rowed at once and every 20 minutes a back-up boat would bring other teammates to swap.
Scott, the sweep, would remain onboard, steering and directing us.
After two-and-a-half hours, we crossed the line first and won that leg.
Vesna Andric and surfboat team
Over the next two days, we won another one and lost the other.
With two of three wins in the bag, on the fourth day we were hopeful.
“You’ve got this, Mum,” my daughter, Sinead, 24, encouraged.
On the water, we gave it everything we had.
My aching muscles screamed at me to stop, but I pushed through.
As we approached the finish line, I realised we were in the lead, and when we crossed it, we let out an almighty cheer.
“We’ve won again!” I screamed, elated.
We only needed one more win to secure the marathon.
Exhilarated and exhausted, we made our way back to the shoreline, when suddenly the water became aggressively choppy.
It was nothing we hadn’t rowed through before, so we kept going.
But the boat started to wobble and suddenly, Scott fell into the water.
Without him steering, we lost control.
The boat turned side-on and the relentless waves kept pummelling us.
One by one the rest of the team leapt off the boat.
Seconds later, at the shoreline, I jumped out, too, and landed in water, face-down on the sand.
Then, I heard a loud smack and the air was knocked out of me.
I realised the 300kg surfboat had slammed on top of me.
My body immediately went numb, and I started to panic.
The race that Vesna Andric was taking part in before she got injured
An onlooker, Turi, was first to reach me.
“My back,” I managed to get out. “Help me.”
Members of the Tathra men’s team, who were also paramedics, raced over.
“I think she’s got a spinal injury,” someone said.
The ambulance arrived and it was decided, due to the severity of my injuries, I should be airlifted to hospital.
I was taken to Canberra where I underwent tests, including CT scans and an MRI.
The results showed my injuries were extensive.
My spine had been crushed and snapped off my pelvis, I had five broken ribs, a punctured lung and a dislocated rib.
I was helicoptered to Royal North Shore in Sydney and taken straight in for surgery.
When I woke up, the surgeon visited.
“We’ve inserted metal plates and screws to put your back together,” he said. “We’ll remove them in about six months.”
Hearing that, my spirits lifted slightly.
I’d been terrified I’d be immobile forever.
Or even worse – dead.
Vesna Andric x-rays
My rehabilitation started within days and it was excruciating.
To make things worse, I’d caught COVID, so when Sinead got to the hospital, she had to wear a hazmat suit.
It was hard to grasp – I’d been in top form only a day earlier and now I could barely move.
Even sitting up made me feel faint from the pain. It was worse than childbirth.
“I don’t think I can do this,” I said to the nurse.
“You can,” she said. “We’ve got you.”
The support I received at the hospital was amazing.
With the staff’s help, I pushed myself one step at a time, determined to get better.
It was hard, but I knew it’d be worth it.
Vesna Andric walking with a frame
My family and friends were equally as amazing.
Sinead and my friends barely left my side and my surfboat teammates took turns looking after my mum, Ika, 70, who I cared for at home.
“You have the most amazing people in your life,” Mum told me when she visited.
And she was right.
The whole community was forever sending well wishes and a GoFundMe page raised over $50k to help with my medical costs.
It was truly incredible.
Vesna Andric in hospital during her recovery with flowers sent by her Surf Club
Now, after spending two months in hospital and doing my six hours of rehab every day, I’m back at home
There’s still a long road to recovery.
I know it will take time but eventually I want to get back on the water again.
Before the accident, I was learning to sail with SisterShip training to try something new and I’m determined to continue.
The ocean may be unpredictable but it’s my life and I’ll never give it up.
