"Surfer Unaware of Wave Carnage"

Wednesday, December 29
JAY CLARK/NY TIMES

A MELBOURNE man has survived by surfing the 10-metre tidal waves that
have killed more than 29,000 people in Asia.

Surviving fishermen last saw Chris Scurrah, 30, surfing the monster
tsunamis off the coast of Padang, Indonesia, near the Mentawi islands.

It was probably his surfboard that saved him according to his
girlfriend Christina Fowler, who has not heard from Chris other than
what local fishermen have reported.

``He's probably having the time of his life, just loving it'' Ms.
Fowler, 36, said.

``He was probably safer in the deep water, rather than on land.''

The massive swell would have come as shock to the 30-year-old, who said
he was only expecting small waves when he kissed his girlfriend
good-bye in Padang on Christmas Eve.

It's been a nervous wait for Ms. Fowler who feared her loved one would
be lost at sea when the earthquake hit, without warning.

The American bed and breakfast manager said fierce winds and heavy rain
caused minimal damage to the Padang township, situated half-way up
Sumatra, compared to what other parts of Asia have suffered.

But the storm combined with a pulsating river was enough for her to
pack her bags and prepare to climb aboard her building's roof as the
only safe haven.

She said the Indonesian town was gripped in panic, unsure what was
happening.

``There were people running around everywhere, frightened,'' she said.

``Mostly because a lot of the people in Indonesia don't know much about
natural disasters and can't swim.''

Ms Fowler said she expects her boyfriend to return today.