Body and board carnage at Drug Aware Margaret River Pro 2013

Surfing has been promoted as a healthy way for young kids to take risks, rather than getting involved in other risk-taking behaviours like drugs. This years Super Saturday certainly lived up to the ‘risky’ tag, with injuries and equipment carnage galore. Worst off was Dion Atkinson …



photo by joliphotos.com



Taking off Dion was heading down the wave, only to feel his legs bending backwards over his shoulders on their way to meet his ears. Moments later his face and chest ploughed into his board breaking it in two … Ouch!!!

Dion Atkinson © The Ponder Room

Dion Atkinson © The Ponder Room

If that’s not enough, according to his fellow competitor, Dion blacked out for a while underwater and came up feeling ‘a bit dizzy’. Once on dry land he was stitched up ready for another day.

Dion Atkinson © The Ponder Room

Watching it all happen I can only say thank goodness for the hard working physio’s, chiro’s and other medical staff in the tent, oh and the fact that one of the main sponsors was HIF Insurance. Talk about risk!

Pondering about the rest of the days events ….

Understandably most competitors took two boards out into the water, after several of their colleagues had leg ropes ripped out by the 8-10 foot waves.

Margaret River Pro © The Ponder Room

Talking about equipment, it was interesting to hear Josh Kerr say that his amazing ride was done on a standard board because, he ‘didn’t bring any bigger boards’ with him.

Josh Kerr © The Ponder Room

It was also interesting to hear many of the competitors who did well say, they were ‘just out there having fun.’

It was great watching the excitement of the young kids as they carried their heroes board up the hill for them. Here’s hoping the message about taking healthy risks is getting through … minus the head plant and stitches hopefully.