Coast pro surfer Bede Durbidge recovering from surgery after shattering pelvis at Pipeline

CURRUMBIN pro surfer Bede Durbidge is facing an uncertain future after shattering his pelvis in a wipe-out while riding Hawaii’s Pipeline.

Surfer Durbidge ‘wheelchair-bound’

CURRUMBIN pro surfer Bede Durbidge is facing an uncertain future after shattering his pelvis in a massive wipe-out while riding the big waves of Hawaii’s Pipeline.

The 32-year-old was smashed on to the shallow larva reef when he was pitched off the top of a two-metre wave on Oahu’s North Shore last Thursday.

Still in hospital after intensive surgery, he now has a 17cm rod and metal plate with four screws in his pelvis.

Durbidge said he did not know when he would be able to return home.

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The number 12 ranked surfer in the world confirmed that he would be wheelchair-bound for at least a month.

Gold Coast surfer Bede Durbidge is about to go under the knife to place two metal plates in his pelvis. Picture: Bede Durbidge/Facebook.

The surfing world championship tour, which he has requalified for, kicks off in three months at the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast.

“I’m not sure how long the recovery will be but I’ll be in a wheelchair for the first month,” Durbidge posted on his Instagram account.

“Couple of gifts thanks to Pipeline — a 17cm rod in the back (of his pelvis) and a plate with 4 screws in the front.

“It has been overwhelming with all the love and support from everyone.”

Talking to the Gold Coast Bulletin from Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, Durbidge’s wife, Tarryn said it was still too early to tell when the family would be able to return home.

Bede Durbidge faces a long recovery. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

“It’s still very early days,” Mrs Durbidge said from her husband’s bedside.

“We are still finding information out from the surgeons, so we don’t have much to say at this stage.”

Injury aside, she said they were trying to stay positive.

Durbidge’s courage through the terrifying ordeal at Pipeline was commended by World Surfing League Australasian tour manager, Will Hayden-Smith.

“The WSL wishes Bede all the best and a speedy recovery,” he said.

“Pipeline is a very dangerous wave and he put his body on the line, which has earned him a lot of respect around the surfing world.

“It is a reminder that surfing can be a dangerous sport.”

Mr Hayden-Smith said Durbidge had a spot on the 2016 world tour if he was able to surf again.

“Bede is a very resilient surfer and if anyone can make a recovery he can,” he said.

If Durbidge was not ready for the Quiksilver Pro, either Adam Melling or Stuart Kennedy, both from Lennox Heads, would replace him.

Originally published as Coast pro surfer Bede Durbidge recovering from surgery after shattering pelvis at Pipeline