How A GMT Pepsi Helped Save My Life

[blowfish89]

Amazing story, thanks!

[Mandy01]

Originally Posted by JohnBaker3

I have surfed the Gulf Coast for over 40 years; you can see some of the unmanned rigs from the beach. The manned, working rigs are further out to sea.

I suspected that they were about 8-10 miles out and I could make it to one before midnight. Fourteen miles is a little further than I planned, but it worked out.

The Coast Guard Rescue Center in New Orleans called me the next day. The officer in charge of the search mission said: "I'm just 39 years old and I couldn't have done what you did".

My reply: "You would be surprised what you can do when your a$$ is on the line".

We both got a good laugh out of that one.

Be safe.

Amazing story and I completely agree with you whine our lives are on the line humans can really do extraordinary efforts for survival. Well deserved your pepsi and is nice you can link it to something so especial.

[Scott Cali]

Hey John! Glad you're still here and doing what you love...New member here and read every page.....what an amazing story

Im almost 53, I loved Magnum and watched it prime time back in the 80's. Finally got my 1st Rolex (Sub C Date) back in June after waiting 30yrs for it. I wear it everyday and plan to the rest of my life.

[Joeguy]

New member here as well and this is the first I’ve seen of this thread. Great story and great watch!

What are you planning for an encore? Haha j/k. Thank you for sharing this inspiring story.


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[123Blueface]

Wow!

[Rashid.bk]

Cool story and glad you made it, but through that ordeal you could only think of a watch...not the wife, or kids...interesting, unless of course you had none.
Everyone has their own priorities I guess.

[mmaggi]

[Phooi]

I’m glad this surfaced on the forum. Incredible story. I really enjoy hearing how people found the brand and what it means to them.

[ctzn]

What a story, thanks for sharing and updating!

[time_and_cars]

Originally Posted by JohnBaker3

Dear Friends:

This is going to take a while, so grab an extra cup of coffee and get comfortable.

The "incident" took place on Oct 22nd and 23rd 2009. Here is a link to an interview I did with Harry Smith over at CBS; it covers the basic details and verifies that I'm not as crazy as some people say I am!

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/surfer-s...ulf-of-mexico/

Five minutes isn't nearly enough to cover all the details; it surely isn't enough to talk about all the things that went through my mind as I paddled those 10 hours to get to the rig (14 miles offshore).

Anyway, to kill time as I stroked my way to safety, I must have sung the theme song to Gilligans Island 20 times. I even started to imagine that Tina Louise would meet me on the beach (didn't happen).

But the biggest thing I did was to remember the episode of Magnum P.I. (circa 1983) where Thomas got swept out into the Molokai Channel one July 4th. He was knocked off his paddleboard by a stupid speedboat and couldn't catch up to it as it drifted away.

As he is treading water for almost 24 hours, he flashes back to the time he was about 10 years old and his dad taught him to survive in the family pool. As an incentive, he promised him a GMT Pepsi if he could survive a 12 hour ordeal. I think it took him 2 tries, but he finally managed to pull it off and he got the watch! That memory somehow helped him survive being adrift off Oahu! Sometime later, TC and the boys spotted him from the famous multi-colored helicopter and flew him to safety.

Flash forward to 2009. As I am struggling to reach the oil rig, I dream that if I make it to safety, I will get to wear a GMT Pepsi of my own someday. I thought about it again the next morning as the helicopter flew me back to the beach.

It must have worked, because today, I'm sitting here typing up this little episode of my own. And, back in February of this year, I located a 1981 GMT Master (with the obligatory Pepsi bezel) and wired the funds. I wear it proudly on special occasions and boast to everyone on why I have it:

I EARNED it !



PS: Sorry Springer; I didn't know you back then or I would have gotten one from you!

Amazing so glad you make it

[BisonHead]

A great story, well done

[JohnBaker3]

Hey Guys:

Another anniversary has arrived and I'm still here enjoying my 16750 GMT!

Went down to South Padre last week to celebrate and caught some great waves coming in from a tropical depression south of there.

Life is good; enjoy every minute you can!

[brandrea]

Happy anniversary John. Your story is truly inspiring

BTW, the CBS link works for me … maybe expect a call for the documentary

[DC116710LN]

Wow - what a story. I'm glad you're safe and still enjoying your GMT!

[Stan Cooper]

An amazing story, John. I remember that Magnum episode clearly, and the GMT pepsi is my favorite Rolex reference.

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

Cool story and glad you made it, but through that ordeal you could only think of a watch...not the wife, or kids...interesting, unless of course you had none.
Everyone has their own priorities I guess.

Seems like a bit of a cynical read on the situation. To say he "only" thought of the watch is off base. He clearly stated not having enough time to cover "all the things that went through my mind". But surely a story related to surviving in water for an extended period of time might be inspirational and relevant?



Congrats again John for surviving this event and kudos to you for continuing to pursue your surfing passion without letting fear get the best of you!

[msu_1972]

WOW, amazing story there. Glad you survived and thanks for sharing it with us.

[Newt]

Dude. You won the internet today.

[skipstar]

Originally Posted by Newt

Dude. You won the internet today.

[Brian Page]

That's a great story John! Me and 2 other divers were left behind in MX a couple of years ago and we resorted to swimming to shore and we were 2 miles out. I can't imagine what your ordeal was like - we had fins and BCD's. And yes you can amaze yourself when you A$$ is on the line....Life is good...

[MrMercedes]

Very impressive! What a story! Best wishes!

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by Brian Page

That's a great story John! Me and 2 other divers were left behind in MX a couple of years ago and we resorted to swimming to shore and we were 2 miles out. I can't imagine what your ordeal was like - we had fins and BCD's. And yes you can amaze yourself when you A$$ is on the line....Life is good...

Brian:

Evaluate your situation, inventory your supplies, and formulate a plan...

Then get your a$$ in gear... and never give up!!

I love a happy ending!

[Tell44]

Very freaking cool. Also as it turns out, that's the only episode of Magnum ive downloaded to my computer and paid for.

Well done. You earned that one! Never sell! Rather lose my house than a watch like that : )

[Reikolexguy]

Man. That is some story. Congratulations and wear that watch like your life depended on it.


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[-CUJO-]

Incredible story. I remember that Magnum P.I episode with the 1675. It really ignited my interest in Rolex. I always wanted one once I saw that episode and I was finally able to purchase a 16760 when I graduated from college in ‘89. I still have that watch and it has been around the world with me.

It has been through the obstacle course, mile swim, land and water survival training in Pensacola. It’s been in the Caribbean, Pacific, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Med, Adriatic Sea, Panama Canal, etc. It has definitely been worn and never let me down.

I’m glad things worked out really well for you. One bit of advice for everybody out there is to have a blinking light on your person. Even in ideal conditions, it is difficult to see a person in the water from 300’ when doing a search. If there is any wind during the day, it causes whitecaps on the water making persons in the water difficult to spot. With a blinking light at night and the aircrew wearing night vision goggles, a person can be spotted from 10’s of miles away.

I was primarily a gulf and west coast aviator but loved flying the HH-65 Dolphin.

[hutch300]

What a story - I can't believe this is my first time seeing this. Glad you are okay and enjoying the watch!

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by -CUJO-

Incredible story.
I was primarily a gulf and west coast aviator but loved flying the HH-65 Dolphin.

Cujo:

I never mentioned it in the original thread, but my last tour in 1975 was at the CG RCC in Long Beach, Ca.

Lots of interesting cases that involved HH3 and HH52's out of LA and San Diego.

The whole incident seemed surreal since I was on the wrong side of the story...

RCC New Orleans sent out an HH65 from Houston to look for me after midnight, but by the time they arrived on scene, I was already climbing up onto the oil rig...

Sometimes life comes full circle!

Be safe,

[DoctorsOrders]

Thanks for sharing your story OP, glad you're able to share it with us today. Love the magnum connection! I think you might need a Hawaiian shirt with parrots to round off the look!!

[JohnBaker3]

Hey Guys:

Today is the 15th anniversary of my safe return to dry land!
Will celebrate with friends and family at Red Lobster for some seafood!
Don't need another watch but I did order a new Dewey Weber Performer!!
Be safe and stay dry!
John B : )

[jamesgames]

epic story and thanks for sharing. glad you're ok and in good health enjoying watches!