Surfing the wild Gnaraloo in Western Australia!
Yesterday, it was reported out of Western Australia that a well-known property developer from Perth, Luke Wyllie, fractured vertebrae, ribs and lacerations after smashing head first into the reef at Gnaraloo. The West Australian writes:
Prominent businessman and pilot Luke Wyllie could spend up to three months in a body brace after a serious surf accident that nearly claimed his life.
Mr Wyllie was knocked off his board at the notorious Gnaraloo break, roughly 120km north of Carnarvon, and smashed head first into a reef on Sunday.
The father-of-two now faces a long rehabilitation after suffering fractured vertebrae in his neck, cracked ribs and lacerations to his head.
“I’ve never really been too concerned about Lukie,” Mr Wyllie’s wife Samantha said.
“He’s a bit of a cat, he’s got nine lives and he always bounces back.
“This is the first time it’s shocked us all and it’s really worried everyone.”
The father-of-two had to be evacuated out of the remote location after the freak accident before he was flown to Royal Perth Hospital for medical treatment.
Etc.
He is set to make a full recovery which is wonderful news, but I must say, the story stopped me in my tracks. Doesn’t it seem miraculous that these sorts of incidents don’t appear multiple times a day in papers around the world? The best waves generally break onto shallow reef or rock, of course, and surfers of varying skill paddle out to try their hand from Fiji to Indonesia to west Australia to northern Chile.
I’ve witnessed spectacular rides over the falls. I’ve also taken some. Last month, for example, I was in southern Mexico surfing a very fun point. The takeoff spot was sucking out behind a large rock, all very normal etc. and fun and I got pummeled a good two times just inches away from that very large rock, completely mistiming the drop, without even a thought.
Aren’t you surprised that more surfers don’t break their necks, rip their faces off, etc?
Aren’t you surprised that you have never broken your neck?
Aren’t you surprised that I’ve never broken mine?
It truly does seem like a miracle.
Broke my neck four months ago on a powder day up in Tahoe. Even worse it was because some donkey clipped me outta nowhere… didn’t even stop. Spent the night in Reno having my C5 & C6 vertebrae fused together by a neurosurgeon I’d never met.
Surprise fucking spinal surgery is not something I’d recommend – even though those Tahoe docs are trauma pros and it’s worked out pretty well so far. Just glad to still be walking really.
Been hurt plenty times surfing but nothing like this:
Just after first week April fell from a second floor into exposed 2×12 floor joist; ass first, taking edge of 2×12 up under back of rib cage striking and fracturing T7 transverse process and damage to surrounding ribs. Got up took off tool belt, shook the pain off, and finished the task at hand. Two and half hours later drove my crew home, listened to my supermodel wife loose her shit, drove myself for a 3 hour and 7k visit to ER… Upon arrival, cat scan, and prognosis Dr. said no to working for 1 month (cried), no pain killers because you drove yourself to emergency room yada yada yada. Drove myself back home called a neurosurgeon friend . He looked of c-scan said I got lucky going to be in pain for a while go easy. Back at work two days later less one tool Never took one pain killer.
Moral of story! Chas.. You are not the only one whom has a set.. Hate to see your cheeky clawing at low or high fruit come back to haunt you and at the end of the day you are the one who has to sleep.
Then some time in second half of May traveled to the land you speak of and surfed like a man whom had his ass handed to him!
A couple of swells ago, a mate paddled out on a day which was “a little bigger than it looked”. He hadn’t brought a step up board so paddled out on the regular. Took off on a nice one, not able to get in early enough, tumbles to the bottom, doesn’t quite penetrate. Last view is of board heading towards him. Thinks; “Jeez, I hope that doesn’t hit me”. It hits him. Three cracked ribs and two vertebrae. No waves for three months.
That slingshot thing happened to me at Bawa, tail straight into the base of my nose, fuck it rocked me. Luckily though it was completely on the tough bit…2mm higher and it would have pulped my nose, 2mm lower and my top row of teeth were confetti.
A close second was slipping off my board at speed with one but cheek only landing on a freshly grippy deck, straining and stretching my anus into pain levels of child birth.
Had the tail to the nose thing happen to me, fucken busted me..
Happened to me once too. Left a good scar aside my nose.
However, it was because I was dicking around in the lineup, standing on my board, accidentally shooting it out from under myself. DEFINITELY NOT on a heater at Bawa.
What kind of sled were you on, btw? Not a Peterson Fish I’m guessing?
Nah haha! But was thinking I was killing it as it was large for a few days and I went to a 6’1″ dhd, they were really nice roll ins generally, so many tubes, got cocky on the last day and sooked allll the way back to Lagundri.
Pre Nias Tsunami?
The only reason this got any attention Chas is most of WA spend their time licking this guys ass trying to get a lift up north in his Chopper. Sure beats the 12 hour drive.
Speedy recovery Luke, can I please come on the next trip?
A millionaire and no health insurance, can’t you help mr. Trump?
get this guy a gofundme accout
“Trustafarian needs your help!”
While surfing a wave only most could only dream of, on his custom made quiver of the best boards on Earth, he broke his neck while his supermodel wifes chef made her and his Honor roll children breakfast outside his 500k RV, but he no have no insurance so he needs your help!
We don’t need health insurance in our beautiful antipodean socialist utopia.
I like putting the boot in as much as the next man, but in this case, Luke is a bloody good bloke. You wouldn’t know he was minted by his behaviour in the water etc. [and did I miss something in the article about him not having Insurance?I re-read it and couldn’t see anything remotely gofundme-ish]
“why hasn’t Chas Smith Broken his neck?”….. Stab must ask themselves that question everyday…..
I have a feeling Sam is busy plotting the downfall of Derek’s little business partner. Surely if he can slowly kill a huge company he can easily kill a part time surf writer.
ha!! gotta call my cousins in Naples and ask for “services rendered” receipts…..
I’m surprised I haven’t ripped someone’s face off in a fit of surf rage yet.