Surfer, Kevin Bourez, from French Polynesia has taken a horrific wipeout at the Air Tahiti Nui Billabong Pro Trials. Bourez went head first into the reef and suffered multiple head fractures and face lacerations. He was taken into hospital and had four hours of surgery. He is now in a stable condition. Despite leaving the event in an ambulance, Kevin won the heat and was one of the favourites to win the Air Tahiti Nui Billabong Pro Trials.

32 surfers descended on to Teahupo’o on the Pacific island of Tahiti to take on the infamous reef pass. The prize for taking on this dangerous swell? a chance to be one of two possible wild cards for Stop seven of 11 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti.

Six to eight foot (2 metres plus) dangerous barrels exploded onto razor sharp reef, putting the 32 tube riding specialists to the test, as Tuamata Puhetini of Tahiti and Nathan Hedge (AUS) finished first and second respectively to win wildcards into the prestigious Billabong Pro Tahiti.

“The surf was fantastic today!” Puhetini said. “I can’t believe I won it again, everyone was surfing very well. I won the Trials in 2010 and it was a great experience, and I’m really looking forward to taking on the best guys out there in the Billabong Pro.”

Sea to Sky wishes Kevin Bourez get well soon. This is timely reminder of how dangerous surfing can be. Have a safe surf everyone.