"He put his life on the line promoting the
brand”
The British big-wave surfer Tom Lowe remains in a
Papeete hospital following a catastrophic wipeout at
Teahupoo, that dirty big hole at the literal end of the
road on the island of Tahiti.
Lowe, who is twenty-nine, was pitched on the takeoff, busting
six ribs and puncturing a lung in the subsequent collision with the
famous reef.
The wildly talented Lowe, from the Cornish beachside hamlet of
St Ives, has long been a stand-out at Irish big waves Aileens and
Mullaghmore, as well as at Jaws on Maui, Mavs in California and at
Mexico’s Puerto Escondido.
Our source tells us Tahitian authorities won’t let him leave
French Polynesia until all his bills, totalling thirty gees, are
paid. Now Lowe, who is on a retainer of a rumoured one
thousand dollars a month at Vans and hence broke as hell after
slinging ten gees at chasing this swell, is a little stuck after
his medical insurance said they won’t pay up.
And, so, fellow big-wave legend Greg Long has put out a call for
cash to get his pal fixed up and off the island.
During the recent monumental swell at Teahupoo, Tahiti, Tom
endured a bad wipeout. His resulting injuries from hitting the reef
required he be airlifted to the hospital where he underwent
multiple emergency surgeries. He is currently in stable condition
but will need to remain under close watch in the hospital for the
coming days.
Unfortunately, Tom’s travel insurance will not cover his
medical treatment, so we are seeking the kindness and generosity of
Tom’s global surf family, friends and compassion of the community,
to help assist with his ongoing medical expenses.
Anyone who has ever met Tom knows him as a humble, kind and
talented surfer who is a dedicated family man to his wife Tess,
daughter Tigerlilly and soon-to-be baby-on-the-way.
Tom has a long road ahead, but true to his nature, he is
positive, in a fighting spirit.
Tom and his family extend their heartfelt gratitude for all
the love and support during their time of need.
Fans were quick to light up on Vans, the multi-billion dollar
shoe empire owned by VF Corp, a behemoth in rude fiscal health that
owns fifty percent of the US backpack market via its brands North
Face, Timberland, Eastpak and JanSport.
How are the brand sponsors of the biggest names in big wave
surfing not providing comprehensive medical insurance for this
incredibly dangerous game they’re playing? Serious
question.
The UFC provides health insurance that is better than all of
the major four pro sports, which also does. I’m pretty sure Vans
can afford a hospital stay.
reflects pretty poorly on endemic brands that they won’t
cover medical expenses for chargers who are responsible for brand
identity and ultimately dollars…
@vans @vanssurf should pay the bill.
Why does @vans not give this man proper health insurance or
foot the bill? He put his life on the line and does a damn good job
of promoting the brand.
And, pointedly,
So Corporate puppets who only care about revenue, profit,
and increasing the stock price, encourage their contract surfers to
engage in extremely life risking activities in order to acquire
attention to sell product, yet when that surfer gets extremely hurt
from doing those life risking activities, from their seat on their
private plane, “Fuck you! You’re on your own.” is their response.
Got it.
So far eight-and-a-half gees from the thirty needed has been
raised.
Click here if you wanna tip
in.
