Royden Bryson cracks the lip on his way to the Final of the Hainan Classic at Riyue Bay, in China earlier this year. It was a good start to the year. Today at Supers wasn’t such a memorable one for Roy. Image: ISA / WATTS
The waves were cooking at Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay, with 6ft sets. Royden Bryson was having a good warm-up session ahead of the Billabong Pro J-Bay, which kicks off tomorrow, and was actually on his way in when the incident happened.
“I pulled into a barrel down at the bottom, and rode it for awhile.” said Royden of the incident. “I tried to sneak out but the wave landed on my head and my shoulder. I just got totally compressed onto my board.”
With a fracture of the tibia and the fibula, Royden drifted down the point in extreme pain, and eventually made it to the beach. He was stabilised and given an analgesic, and sent on his way in the back of an ambulance.
“Obviously I’m pretty bleak about it,” said Roy afterwards. “The waves are pumping and I was ready for this contest. I’ll be out the water for a few months now.”
Royden was looking to add to his impressive start to the season, when he placed second to recent Mr Price Pro champ, Glenn Hall, at the Hainan Classic – held at Riyue Bay in China in January.
– Craig Jarvis
Get well soon Roy!