Gus Fitzgerald was just 10 when he was swept out to sea in rough and wild surf conditions. His father calmly followed, walking down the beach. Then Gus realised, his dad wasn't going to save him. It was up to him. When he lost his father to cancer, Gus had to learn another lesson, how to stay afloat without him altogether.

Warning: This episode contains some swearing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are also advised it includes the name of someone who has died.

This story was first told at SPUN Stories a live storytelling podcast created in Darwin by StoryProjects. The Producer for the ABC was Emma Gibbs.

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