Paddle boarding is a common activity in Florida. But it can also be incredibly dangerous.
As well as the small (but very real) risk of being stalked by Great White Sharks and Hammerhead Sharks, it should be noted that most paddle boarding takes place in open water. This can make it a dangerous activity for weak or non-swimmers.
This makes a viral TikTok, which shows a teenager being abandoned by his friends in the middle of the water, all the more shocking.
The viral clip, which was posted by Natalee King (@nataleeeking), is technically a repost. It has amassed 10.2 million views. In the beginning of the video, there’s on-screen text that says: “In light of the Nolan Wells case and being asked to reupload this video multiple times, here it is.”
What Happened On This River?
The video begins by showing King, her husband, and children paddle boarding. In the distance, they hear yelling.
“Look, I’m gonna die,” one person says. What follows is more yelling before another says, “You gotta learn how to swim.”
Later in the conversation, the second person calls the first a slur. The first person is also mocked over their parents. When the subject of his father being in prison is brought up, someone says they can “tell just by looking at [him].”
Now in view, the young boy stands in the water with a life jacket on, saying, “I’ll just wait.”
“Bro, you have a life jacket,” the other person retorts.
“No, I’m Black, it doesn’t matter; it’s not gonna save me,” the first insists.
“Yes, it does!” the second retorts.
To which the teen responds, “I’ll find a way.’
Off-screen, monkey sounds are made.
The boy then greets the family.
“They think I’m about to pull that, but I can’t swim,” he says.
“Bro, you have a life jacket,” the other voice says.
“I’m gonna die,” the teen repeats.
As the family approaches him, the husband asks him to hold the end of their paddle. The teen says he’s afraid of drowning, but after they reassure him, he swims over.
The husband then asks his name while King asks if he’s OK.
What Happens Next?
The teen, who is named Marques, notes that he can’t even swim and that his friends expected him to swim back. He adds that it’s his first time here.
The husband then asks how he got there, so Marques explains: “They made me take that way over there, they had two life jackets […].”
“I’m glad we ran into you,” King replies.
Then Marques’ friend begins yelling again, calling him a “p—-.”
“I’m never coming back with y’all,” Marques replies, continuing to hold on behind the family.
The friend then says that they told him if he was coming, they had a life jacket, and that a life jacket makes you float.
But Marques notes that the jacket is made for a little kid.
“That’s scary though if you’re not used to water,” King tells him.
Marques then says he swims in the backyard pool, while King and her husband remark that spring water is different.
After assuring Marques they’re “almost there,” King also notes that the wind and current are strong.
Once he approaches land, Marques thanks the family. He can be heard repeating to one of the friends that he is “never coming back with y’all.” He also asks the person with him to help him up. The other person does not do this.
“I don’t know what to say,” King says, continuing to paddle board.
She and her husband determine that the friends are “a——-.” The husband says he’d never do that to her, while King says she’d never do that to anyone.
In the video description, King confirmed Marques got home safe and had been in contact with his mother.
BroBible reached out to King via Instagram direct message.
What Did Commenters Say?
Commenters were supportive.
“When I heard him say ‘I’m never coming back here with you guys’ my heart broke,” one wrote. “People he thought were his friends making him feel like this.”
“I just wish he realized those aren’t true friends,” a second added.
“Did y’all hear the monkey sounds?” a third said. “I’m sick.”
A fourth echoed, “The noises they were making at him…Thank you so much for helping him and teaching your sons better.”
While a fifth pointed out, “Also… the way he’s just not that phased like he’s used to being treated that way .”
What Did The Teen’s Mother Say?
In a video from June, Marques’ mother, Tipp, responded to the situation.
She began by saying the incident was “addressed in a manner consistent with and in thoughtful consultation with family and close friends.”
In turn, she said she had met with the relevant parents and discussed face-to-face. Subsequently, she describes her motherly instincts as being on “high alert.” She acknowledges that the world is “ever evolving” and parents must evolve with it. She says she also realizes that teenagers are impressionable and can make mistakes.
According to Tipp, she believes in forgiveness. While she isn’t there yet, she says she is working on it.
She added, “Realizing time is the ultimate healer, rest assured this mother is on full duty and with watchful eyes.”
Tipp then thanked people again before going on to say that she has been made aware of death threats. She says this is “not OK” with her, as she doesn’t condone violence and isn’t a violent person.
“And I want to personally thank the family that stopped and helped my son,” she concluded. “If you weren’t there, God knows what would have and could have happened to him, and I want to personally once again say thank you.”
In a follow-up video, she shows footage of Marques in the gym auditorium carrying a basketball in sports gear. She confirms in the video description that he is “doing great.”
BroBible reached out to Tipp via TikTok comment.
@nataleeeking Marques made it home safe and his mother @Tipp and I have been in contact #marques #paddleboarding #nolanwells #safety #badfriends @Justin white
What Is The Nolan Wells Case?
Nolan Wells was recently found dead after setting off on a boat trip with his friends to celebrate July 4. The sheriff working on the case said that there was no foul play surrounding his death,
Wells was the only Black person in the friend group. Because of this, social media users speculate that there was a racially-charged and deliberate element to his death. However, there is no current evidence to support this at the time of writing.
As reported by WLOX, Jackson County NAACP President Curley Clark said: “The NAACP is going to ensure that the tragedy will be fully investigated, but we do not want anyone to jump to conclusions before the facts are known.
“It’s sad, but I have to admit that race is a part of the equation. And the NAACP has to play a part in it to ensure that everything is done in accordance with the law and that there’s no racial discrimination involved,” he continued. “We don’t want to jump to conclusions because it’s going to be very hurtful to the family if the wrong conclusions don’t pan out. We’re going to make sure we’re being very deliberate in the findings and ensure the facts come out and justice is served.”