Fiji Pro 2015 – The Injury Count

Are the top 34 men and top 17 women of the World Surf League are just trying to push themselves too much? At the last count, the number of injured surfers on tour is at an all time high.

Michel Bourez – injured – free surfing
John John Florence – injured – free surfing
Brett Simpson – injured – free surfing
Jordy Smith – injured – free surfing

Steph Gilmore – injured - free surfing

Die hard Aussie Sally Fitzgibbons, who injured herself in round 2 of the Fiji Pro (she was dominating at the time), went on to win the comp. With a ruptured ear drum! She is the exception. Well done Sal, congrats.

That's right, apart from Sal the injuries all seem to be have been sustained free surfing. Is it that they are trying too hard, pushing it too much, or just that they are not taking due care? It's a fine line and with the emphasis on innovation being highly rewarded on the judging criteria at the moment, I am sure it all about practice and repeat. I mean we did all see Filipe Toledo just win Rio with just his air game and it was pretty amazing to watch. How much pressure does this put on the rest of the crew to up their game?

The one good thing that has come out of this are the injury wild cards, we have Dane (whoop), Aritz who should find a few good ones growing up near Mundaka, Jay Davies (the giant-slayer at Margies) among others. Any of these guys could pose a threat if they get in rhythm.

Check out this little clip of the worlds best surfing Restaurants yesterday. And this was a lay day!

Enough of the air game, this is Fiji, and as long as Mother Nature plays ball we should see some good old fashioned death pits. My call is that it's time for one of the old boys to win one. Kelly has to be in the running having a huge history with the place, my eyes will also be on Jeremy Flores in the big stuff, and perhaps the not so dark horse Owen Wright. Mostly I would like to see Taj win here. There is no point denying it, I would like Taj to win a world title along with most of the rest of the world.

In fact, money where mouth is, Taj to win, that's it. Just as long as he does not injure himself in the mean time trying a 3ft air reverse...