Teenager who tried to race the tide misjudges gigantic wave and almost gets washed away

By David Keane

This is the moment a prankster who tried to race the tide was almost washed out to sea when a MUCH bigger wave than he anticipated smashed him against the promenade wall.

Zoe Osler, 19, was enjoying a trip to Hornsea, Yorks, when playful boyfriend Cory Park claimed he could run across a short stretch of beach without getting wet. Since her boyfriend of almost one year is renowned for silly stunts, nursery assistant Zoe couldn't resist getting her camera out to capture the antics.

However the 20-year-old baker dramatically misjudged the size of the incoming wave and even dawdled on his way across, as the first wave only just touched the promenade wall.

Hilarious footage shows Cory eventually realise his error as he panics and tries to sprint his way back to the safety of the steps. But his efforts are too little too late and instead Cory is engulfed in a 12-foot giant wave that smashes him into the promenade wall - even almost catching Zoe herself.

The footage quickly went viral, amassing almost 500,000 views and a staggering 11,300 shares, likes and comments.

Zoe, from Hull, East Yorks, said: "The tide was really far in so the sea was very slightly splashing at the walls. Cory wanted to see if he could make it across that part of the beach before the wave came and wet his feet."

"Obviously he didn't make it though. Once I saw him trying this I thought this was typical of Cory so I thought I better get my camera out to capture whatever happened next.

"As the video shows, the last wave wasn't very far in so he thought he would only get his feet wet. We hadn't seen a wave anywhere near that size yet so it really caught him by surprise. He didn't expect it at all.

"I was a bit worried if I'm honest. I worried it could hit him and he might not make it back. I actually worried for a moment that the wave was so big it might carry him off. But after it had happened and I realised he was safe I just thought it was hilarious because he was absolutely soaked."

Zoe can be heard hysterically laughing at her sodden boyfriend as he emerges shocked from the gigantic wave. Poor Cory was left wringing out his clothes after the stunt - though his antics have seen him become a viral hit online.

Cory said: "I expected to make it there and back but wanted it to be a challenge so waited a bit for the wave before running. However I clearly misjudged it. The wave completely caught me by surprise though, it came out of nowhere."

"There was definitely a point when I thought I wasn't going to make it back. You can tell [from the footage] when I shout 'nooo' and start sprinting. I'm not embarrassed that it went so viral — you've got to have a sense of humour about these things. I did it in the first place to have a laugh."

Zoe said: "Cory saw the funny side - but he was drenched. He had to go to the toilet to wring out his clothes. He is a bit silly, he regularly does little stunts like this. He's not afraid to make fun of himself.

"I didn't expect it to go so viral. I only put it online to show my friends Cory doing something silly again but it's very popular, I didn't expect it. I think Cory was a bit overwhelmed by it all."

Kennedy News and Media