Two thrill-seekers have sparked outrage after filming themselves dangerously manoeuvring hydrofoils near a sand dredging operation off Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. The video captures the duo approaching the dredge, with one person audibly declaring, “I’m going victory or death,” and later urging his mate not to take risks. They successfully navigated through the spray from the dredge, prompting one of them to exclaim, “An incredible shower, it was amazing! I went through and just burst out laughing.”
Authorities have reacted with alarm to the reckless stunt. Police Superintendent Peter Miles highlighted the potential dangers, explaining that the dredging vessel’s crew might not notice the riders if the boat is moving, which increases the risk of accidents. He warned that if the individuals fell off their hydrofoils, they could be engulfed in sand and left in the water for an extended period.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has also previously cautioned against such risky behaviours, especially during ongoing beach restoration initiatives. He pointed out the vastness of the coastline, stating, “We’ve got 60 kilometres of beach,” and emphasised the importance of maintaining a safe distance from dredging machinery. The Mayor indicated that if water activities interfere with the dredging process, operations must pause, delaying vital restoration work; at present, 70% of the beach recovery tasks remain unfinished, further underscoring the impact of reckless behaviour on community efforts.