Olympics surfing: Jack Robinson nearly drowns en route to qualifying for quarter-finals in Tahiti
Jack Robinson has qualified for an all-Australian surfing quarter final in the most dangerous conditions ever faced at a modern Olympics. He nearly drowned doing so.
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Jack Robinson has nearly drowned on his way to booking an all-Australian surfing quarter-final in conditions labelled the most dangerous ever witnessed at the Olympics.
The 26-year-old was sensationally held under the water for two waves standing three-times overhead, dragging him over the shallow reef of Teahupo’o, Tahiti.
He was finally plucked from the water in the lagoon hundreds of metres away from the wave. Round 3 rival John John Florence was dragged to shore seconds later.
In an incredible act of courage an exhausted Robinson eyeballed Florence as they both got off the jet skis and put in a surge back into the line-up in order to get priority.
The West Australian, who currently lives on the Gold Coast, went on to produce a two-wave total of 13.94 to beat Florence (9.07) on Tuesday (AEST).
Robinson’s coach Matt Bemrose said his athlete nearly drowned after being unable to fill his lungs up with air before being put into a fight for his life in front of the world.
“I got dragged over the bottom and almost had a two wave hold under,” Robinson said.
“I didn’t get much air. There wasn’t much time. I got reminded of so many guys who have had so many bad wipe-outs here.
“I have had some pretty bad (wipe-outs) but in a contest it’s different. You have way more adrenaline and there is way more on the line.
“(Paddling back out was) a test of physicality and spirit.”
Robinson said most people don’t realise the gravity of what the surfers are dealing with as some of the world’s heaviest waves break onto reef just feet from the ocean’s surface.
“Every other sport is in a court or a stadium,” he said.
“We are in an ocean. It is the biggest, most powerful source of life we have on this planet.
“The waves are so powerful. It doesn’t relate to any other sport. Maybe an avalanche coming down on your head on a mountain. Maybe it’s similar to that. It’s so dangerous and so crazy.”
The Australian was so shaken he rushed to the shower as soon as he landed on the shore in order to recover before speaking to anyone.
Brazilian and three-time world champion Gabriel Medina said surfing at Teahupo’o was the most dangerous event the Olympics has hosted.
“It’s really dangerous out there. It is super hollow (inside the wave),” Medina said.
“(I’m lucky) I didn’t hit the reef on the one I fell (off). There is coral and when the waves are like this it’s really shallow. There are some solid waves out there.”
Two-time world champion Florence echoed the sentiment.
“It’s really dangerous. (It) was a scary day out there. There is so much power in it,” Florence said.
The wind changed drastically ahead of the final heat of round three where Australian Ethan Ewing beat Japan’s Connor O’Leary, a former Cronulla surf coach, 14.17 to 11.
Ewing, a North Stradbroke Island surfer who broke his back at Teahupo’o a year ago, knows more than most how life-threatening the wave can be as he prepares to face compatriot Robinson in the quarter-finals.
“I was definitely scared out there. That was way bigger than the day I got hurt,” Ewing said.
“It will be cool (to face Robinson). He is definitely pushing the limits and one of the best guys out here. That is where I want to be and it will be exciting for sure. Either way an Aussie will get into the next round.”
Conditions worsened after the completion of the men’s third round, forcing organisers to suspend competition before the women’s third round could begin.
It is unlikely to improve in the next 48 hours, with organisers expecting two lay days before returning to the water.
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Originally published as Olympics surfing: Jack Robinson nearly drowns en route to qualifying for quarter-finals in Tahiti
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