Tom Carroll, a two-time World Surfing Champion, recently experienced a frightening incident at his home break, North Narrabeen, in Australia. While surfing a relatively small swell last week, Carroll suffered a significant wipeout, which left the surf community in shock. Lifeguards were quick to respond, medics were called, and Carroll was rushed to the hospital.
Initially, details surrounding his condition were scarce, but it was later revealed that the 61-year-old surfer had accidentally hit his head on his own board, rendering him momentarily unconscious. The impact resulted in a cut on his forehead, requiring four stitches. Thankfully, Carroll’s injuries were not severe, and he is expected to recover fully.
Speaking about the incident, Carroll shared his experience, beginning with what he suspects may have contributed to the accident: “I have a hunch it started from not wiping all the sunscreen off my hands before surfing, but I still can’t recall clearly,” he said, recounting the moments before the wipeout.
Carroll then detailed the series of events leading up to the injury:
“Excited about the fun we were having, I paddled for a 2-3 foot wind swell wedge on the inside of North Narrabeen—a maneuver I’ve done thousands of times since I was 12 years old. The paddling was easy, and I felt very relaxed. I had my head down, my hands on the deck and rail of my board, pushing up as I prepared to stand. I lifted, brought my right foot and knee under my body—and then, everything went fuzzy.”
He continued, describing the moment of impact: “The next thing I knew, I was head-first into the deck of my board. I heard a loud crunch through my neck, followed by an electric shock of pain down the right side of my body. The wave passed, and I realized I was still tethered to my board, even without a leg rope. Fragments of consciousness began to come together as the shock started to settle in.”
It was then that Carroll’s left hand found the wound on his forehead. “My finger slipped into a deep but small laceration on my forehead,” he explained. “I knew immediately that I needed stitches.”
Reflecting on the accident, Carroll expressed his gratitude for the swift help he received from those around him. “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who assisted, from the lifeguards in the water to the medical staff who helped me afterwards,” he said.
Despite the scare, Carroll’s recovery is progressing well, and he is expected to return to the water soon. The surf community, which rallied in support during the incident, will be glad to hear that the champ is on the mend.
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