Injury Update: Burrow Breaks His Foot - Out for Brazil

The next stop on the Foster’s Men’s World Championship Tour, the Nova Schin Brazil WCT, will run sans last year’s champ Taj Burrow. Burrow recently broke his foot and was forced to withdraw from Brazil and the first two stops of the Vans Triple Crown of Surf, the Haliewa and Sunset 6-Star Prime WQSs. Though he hopes to be healed in time for the Rip Curl Pipeline Masters come December, only time will tell. Read on for the latest on a few of the other lads who’ve suffered similarly bad luck this year.

Surfer: Joel Parkinson
Injury: Knee ligament damage
When it Occurred: Joel jacked his knee freesurfing in Japan just prior to the Quiksilver Pro Japan WCT. He was forced to withdraw from both that event and the two subsequent stops, the Boost Mobile Pro of Surf in California and Quiksilver Pro in Hossegor.
Status: Rehab has been going well and Parko’s been working hard at Surfing Australia’s High Performance Centre at Casuarina. He’s currently competing in New Zealand with Andy Irons, Sunny Garcia and Mark “Occy” Occhilupo in a Surfing New Zealand International Surf Session.
Prognosis: At this stage Parko’s primed to compete in Brazil before making his way to Hawaii to continue his Triple Crown quest.
What He Said: “It is definitely improving and while it has been so frustrating not being able to surf every day, I am really looking forward to heading to Brazil and getting back on the Tour again”

Surfer: Troy Brooks
Injury: Knee ligament damage.
When it Occurred: Troy tweaked his knee while competing at the Boost Mobile Pro of Surf in September. He won his round three heat despite hurting his knee, but was advised by doctors to withdraw to avoid further damage. He would have surfed against Kelly Slater in round four but instead, Slater earned a bye and went on to win the contest.
Status: Brooks is finally free of his knee brace and, as of last week, is undergoing rehab with the blokes at Surfing Australia.
Prognosis: If all goes well, Brooko should be back in action by the Nova Schin Brazil WCT at the end of the month.
What He Said: “At this stage it’s a bit touch and go, but I’m working hard on trying to be back for Brazil.”

Surfer: Toby Martin
Injury: Hernieted disc in his neck that came within a millimeter of his nervous system.
When it Occurred: Martin has been injured for most of the year, but his current ailment occurred at the Boost Mobile Pro in September.
Status: Back in Australia after undergoing surgery in the States, Martin is working with physical therapists at the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narabeen.
Prognosis: Unfortunately, Martin’s down for the count this year and will not surf in the final two WCT’s of the year. He’s been advised by his doctor that he will be able to make a full return to competition, starting with the season opener on the Gold Coast, should he be awarded an injury wildcard for ’06.
What He Said: “At the very least, I hope I will be able to use the golf clubs I bought before the accident at Christmas! I would like to thank every one who has helped me during this time: Sten Kramer, Tim Brown, Chris Prossor, Paul Bloomfeild, Cari Church and all the physios down at Narrabeen! Also, to every one at ASP and Renato Hickel.”