By JONATHON HOWARD
A LONESOME figure spotted paddling about 300 metres away from the Bali island of Nusa Lembongans’ main surfing break, could have been missing Noosa man Peter Maynard.
The figure was spotted on Thursday 28 August by Monkey Surfing operator Christohper Capel, who told media sources in Bali that the swell had been up near 15 feet that day.
Mr Capel said he watched the unknown surfer paddle towards a break known as “No Man’s Land”, where huge sets were rolling in.
“The set was about 10 feet and I saw a surfer catch a wave and then disappear with the foam,” he told media sources.
Mr Capel did not see the mystery surfer again and he told media sources he thought the surfer had gone ashore.
The mystery disappearance of Mr Maynard from a Balinese island last week has left his family devastated as they await any word of his whereabouts.
Signs and a $5000 reward have since been posted around the island urging anyone with information to come forward.
Mr Maynard, 45, had been staying on his own at the Nusa Indah Bungalo on the island of Nusa Lembongan, from 23 August to 28 August.
A snapped surfboard (nose) portion of what was believed to be Mr Maynard’s surfboard was found near Shipwrecks that same day, Thursday 28 August.
Family members of Mr Maynard have since confirmed the nose of the broken board was part of a Hammo board, which was designed and made by Mr Maynard.
He was scheduled to check out of his room on 28 August, but when staff checked his room they found almost all of his personal possessions including his phone, wallet and surfboards – abandoned and untouched.
In a media statement, Peter’s wife Kylie Maynard said the family was calling for any information to assist in finding her husband.
“We will continue to work with local police, the Australian Consulate and surf and rescue authorities in the hope that together we can find Peter and bring this matter to an end. We implore anybody who knows anything to please notify the relevant authorities and we ask that our family’s privacy be respected during this difficult time,” Mrs Maynard said.
Bali Police along with other rescue authorities continue to search for Mr Maynard who has been missing now for 13 days at the time of print.
