Ethan Ewing Breaks His Back, Out Of Teahupoo
Following Italo Ferreira's withdrawal from Tahiti, Ethan Ewing has also pulled out after he hit the bottom during a warm up session yesterday.
Reports are that Ethan hit the bottom and had to be helped to shore. Shortly afterwards, and before being dignosed, the WSL announced his withdrawal from the contest.
The diagnosis is two fractured vertebrae, L3 and L4, and an uncertain recovery time.
Ewing is currently second on the rankings and is a points certainty to make the Final 5 at Trestles. It is possible, likely even, that by not competing at Teahupoo he'll slip down the rankings hindering his world title chances. The worst he can finish is fourth.
However, at this stage it's unknown if Ethan could even compete at Trestles, which begins in two months, the waiting period beginning on September 8th.
Ethan is replaced by Mihimana Braye who is the second-highest ranked Tahitian surfer on the Challenger Series. The highest ranked, Kauli Vaast, has already assumed Italo Ferreira's spot. Braye finished equal third in the recent Trials - his third straight podium finish. He also qualified for the main event in 2021, though the event was subsequently cancelled.
Comments
Geez heavy. Hope he has a very quick recovery!
What a shame. I would have money on him to win the world title.....get well soon.
Hope he makes a speedy recovery, Dr google says 6 - 12 weeks so definitely uncertain if he will be good to go at Trestles.
As someone who crushed L1 vertebrae a couple of years ago surfing, can confirm that the conservative view is 12 weeks for the vertebrae to fully harden again. Rehab timeline will depend on a number of factors. EE very fit, so hopefully he is the shorter end of the scale. But I’d be surprised if he surfs at Trestles. Maybe better to get 100% right and refocus for 2024. Nathan Florence made a very quick return, but I don’t think it would have been in line with doctors advice …. Footage of him doing dead lifts very shortly after his injury looked crazy to me. However, it all worked out for him so good luck.
How did your injury happen?
Unlucky really. Folded in half (forwards rather than scorpion) when I hit the water at the base of a wave getting launched by the lip on a close out. Solid wave at a low tide spot with a bit of morning sickness, but nothing like so many wipeouts you see all the time at much larger spots where people walk away unscathed …. Hyperflexion of the spine. Different to EE injury which I suspect was impact damage from hitting the reef. Hoping he has hairline fractures only and no deformation of the vertebrae.
Yeah hopefully no long-term damage. And all the best to Ethan.
Unfortunately there's always noise after a back injury.
You feel it every cold morning.
That's terrible news and I hope Ethan has a full and speedy recovery !!
As above.
All the best Ethan.
Fuck that’s heavy. He had momentum this year too so that’s going add another layer on the injury.
Perhaps would be wise to not push it at top tier finals competition and aim for next year?
All the best!
Shit news for EE and Aussie surf fans. All the best for a full recovery.
Btw Stu, Trestles starts in one month not two! Haha. May as well hand Felipe the trophy now methinks
What would David Goggins do?
Be very, very surprised if he is good to go in one month.
All the best for a smooth and speedy recovery and rehab EE.
Terrible news for him and those of us that want to see him surf. There are fewer and fewer reasons to watch the contests if you are interested in aesthetics than results.
Oh man that is tough.
Did my L2 snowboarding a year ago. I really don’t think he will be at the finals. Even for a elite athlete recovery can be slow..
How'd you do it lost?
You back to 100%
In other news : Wildcard allocated for the Ripcurl Finals Day at Trestles.
The WSl have just announced a rule change that allows for a wild card entry into the mens WSL Rip Curl finals.
An unnamed spoke person said “it just wouldn’t be right to deny Kelly the chance to embarrass himself one more time in 2023 before he starts a fresh in the 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027 seasons.
The criteria for the new slot in the finals is pretty simple. You need to have won 11 world titles, be bald, a conspiracy theorist and have only ever lost an event or heat because of injury or not ‘feeling it’.
The decision by the WSl will certainly help boost social traffic in the lead up and in the event Kelly actually shows up it could be good for the sport of surfing.
Layne Beachly has put her hand up for the womens final claiming she too has 11 world titles (7 for the ASP, 1 Masters and 4 for motivational fluff on linkedin).
hahaha. Read the first line and felt my blood boil already.................well played.
Ha ha i did think about writing a serious one but its hard to do and sound like the WSL at the same time…
You had me going there for a minute Lost!
Ha !
nice work lost
Ha! not ' feeling it' .Classic!!
Glad you like that one - its classic Kelly.
He wjll prbably win Chopes and make me look silly now
Further highlights the risks for us mere mortals. All the best for a speedy recovery EE.
EE should rock up for his heat and dip his toes in the water, with zero intention on paddling out or catching a wave, to force the WSL to look (more) stupid on their big day.
It would also mean he keeps a seeding of 3rd for next season instead of dropping to 5th. Rules is rules.
Interesting idea. Or maybe he is better off with another local wildcard causing havoc to the draw.
Such a shame as he had a genuine title shot. All the best for a full recovery EE. Come back stronger than ever in 2024 including for the Olympics.
Miracles do happen, but I really hope he doesn't push it. Here's to a full recovery.
Heavy news , best wishes for a full and timely recovery.
What happens now ? Number 6 gets a ticket at the final ?
Kelly wildcard. See above
Lets be honest, the finals suck anyway
and the World Champ was in the channel watching...
Which one ?
Nothing matters more for Ethan than getting healed completely. No contest, championship, sponsor pressure or WSL circuitous qualification rules have any importance. When you look at how much of human activity and mobility relies on a strong and fully functioning lower back, let alone his surfing, you see the priority. He is an intelligent, insightful and much loved member of his community who will be supported whatever he decides to do. Remember what Bede went through.
Well said. Wishing for a speedy recovery.
That’s a very quick diagnosis for where this happened in Tahiti but assuming it’s correct Ethan’s year is over. I’m still confused as to why the opening is filled by someone from the challenger series rather than the next on the CT.
Folk speculated, and went to town on, Fil potentially sitting Chopes out given he's a certainty for Trestles.
If world titles are the aim (aren't they?) the strategy does not look so silly now, blowback be damned.
Very best wishes EE.
I wonder what he would decide if he had his time again. World titles shots do not come around all that often, even for the uber-talented. Just ask JJF.
Good surfers wanna surf good waves
No doubt.
And there are ample opportunities to turn up and indulge when a mishap won't cost you a world title chance.
Man that is cruel, athlete at the top of his game and title contender for sure. Probably pushing with one eye on the Olympics to be later, steeper, deeper. Surfing looks all froth and bubbles but the consequences of getting it wrong are severe. Sure your island family will get around and help you get right back at it asap Ethan
Hope he recovers well and keeps his fluidity and flow.
And Felipe had just finally convinced himself that talented pros don't get hurt at Chopes. Back to the psychologist for another session.
Frog your a cruel man
They show the wave on Instagram stories @thegreenroomtimes
Looks deep and loses it in the foamball.
Not a particularly crazy wave by teahupoo standards. Just unlucky really.
https://instagram.com/stories/thegreenroomtimes/3166116844355881551?utm_...
Sounds like a prick of a place to get hurt.
Tom Lowe had to paddle all the way back to shore when he got nailed, and from what i've read EE wasn't spotted for a fair while before he was able to be helped.
Funny with all those boats and the judging tower they haven't got half an eye on the safety aspect of the surfers.
Hopefully a full and speedy recovery for EE.
Carn Robbo!
Looked hectic to me- fully thick west one that just bottomed out- likely a trapdoor straight to the reef with the full energy exploding on top of him.
Wishing EE a speedy recovery. Heavy injury.
Had the pleasure of having beers with him after the Bells comp last year. Very humble guy. Good crew around him too (he had some mates from back home with him).
Hope to see him back competing before too long. If it's next year, so be it.
Of all the surfers, I think 3 stand out for me for sheer quality and power. 3 that I will try to make it my business to see. Ethan, Medina and JJF. I know, Felipe is a great surfer, and as everyone insists is so fast, (he is, granted) but he doesn’t do it for me. (OK Jack Robbo too, and Griffin, he is going to be seriously good, and I always like the fight and grunt in Ryan Callinan)
If I can just forget about how their actual heats are scored, which at times shit me to tears, these 3 demonstrate to me surfing that I’m actually interested to watch. I can’t adequately explain that, unknown biases. Different aesthetics to others. Whatevs.
But Ethan! Part Rembrandt, part technician, he’s a surfer I want to see, just to see where he takes surfing. Just as Medina raised the bar, as Felipe did, as JJF did, and all do.
But you have to be fit and healthy to do that. Good luck EE, and don’t come back until you’re good.
We just can't believe it..
Here's wishing you a speedy recovery EE.
EE is the Federer of surfing (not talking dominance but speed, silky flow + power + the right moves in the right spots).
Nice way to put it frog
Risk vs Reward couldn't be summed up better.
No doubt EE and his team are focused on getting him out of Tahiti, getting full treatment options and into treatment etc ASAP.
I think it would be awesome if his team film the whole journey, good bad and ugly. Raw reality and all. Show the full story of the deep dark places injuries take people and the effort required to dig out of the dark holes, recovery process, effort etc. It could be a huge spotlight on mental health vs physical health and a legacy for others. Huge opportunity for EE and team.
Let's also remember there's plenty of hard working recreational surfers dealing with injuries from surfing and work or other accidents. They could do with some support, well wishes, etc., if you know of anyone injured in your community, use this as a reminder to reach out to them and check they're OK.
Elite athletes like EE have their team to support them. Us recreational surfers have to be the team to support each other.
Nice one Wingy.
Hope for a speedy recovery! That's a heavy injury.
Watching him at his local and around the area he is on another level and hope to see him compete more.
Latest press release from the WSL:
"CT competitors Ethan Ewing (AUS) and Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) have both withdrawn from the event due to injury. Ewing sustained a back injury while warming up at Teahpo’o earlier this week while Sakura-Johnson is continuing to recover from a shoulder injury she suffered during the Corona J-Bay Open in South Africa last month."
They seem afraid to discuss the extent of the injury in the public domain.
Sad to hear EE has been injured, back injuries can be a challenging, painful and frustrating path to recover from. Coming across ones in the working environment, it's good to see there's a rehabilitation path and process, and hope it is good for Ethan, too. Always take care on site or at work crew.
quadzilla
All the best,young fella. Hoping for a spEEdy recovery.AW
Wow,as someone who fractured my T7 and T11(anterior endplate I believe)
Let me tell u ,I can feel my injury everyday
July 15 2018 was the morning
EE recovery time will depend on the severity of his break,being super fit will benefit him
He will lose so much flexibility and strength
I was on boog on sth coast nsw in absolutely pumping conditions when my fist wave drove me head first into rock at speed,I felt and heard the snap
Was super winded and could not breathe at all in or out for atleast 45 secs,i looked at sunrise and believed i was gonna die right there and then,i just looked at sunrise and let go. Then my body sucked up one quick short sharp breath and I got help off a grommy into shore.
I got to hospital, 8 hours later gave me diagnosis,no tingling in hands or feet
He said i will be right in a few months
Next morning I pissed the bed at my sisters house cuz I couldn't get out of bed
Every day I had little challenges,
Touch my nose with my finger tip
Touch my face with my whole hand etc etc
Sitting in a chair took 45 seconds
Standing up took longer
To compound it even more my niece gave me a horrible lung/chest lurgy that just sat in me and I sneezed non stop for two or 3 days,couldn't hock anything up
No laughing,no coughing cuz it was so fucking painful it would bring me to tears
November 20 I finally got back in water and barely caught a wave cuz I was so scared I'd do more damage
I put on 15 kilos in over a year, which iv now lost
My last scan said I have moderately severe osteo arthritis in my spine between injured vertebrae
I can't sleep in any more cuz it aches if I don't get up n move around
EE will be in some pain both physically and mentally for quite some time depending on severity of fracture
I wish him a speedy recovery but I think his year is over
That's how slow it was
After 2 weeks I could finally sit in my car and drove the 5 hours back to Sydney in 2 different trips
Wow, crazy story. I bet that sunrise is still a vivid experience. Thanks for sharing, all the best on your journey
Beachgrit had an article a few days ago saying that EE is already back in the water and will surf Trestles. Not the most reliable source, but hopefully they’re on the money with this one.
I'd say BG is very reliable, always with an ear to the ground re rumours. Remember they were the first with the news that EE had broken his back/vertebrae, and someone said "not the most reliable source..." then too.
And so good to see him moving so well already!
Touché
Hope so!
Go Ethan!
Incredible recovery!
Too right! Now let's just hope for a forecast that lends itself to searing rail turns.
He's looking in very good shape.
Looking at EE's new sleds.......do most pro's get a brand new quiver every event? Even if not, what happens to their unwanted / barely used boards?