Mark Mathews Breaks Leg While Double-Towing

“Mark got thrown into the deep end at 6:30am,” says cinematographer and filmmaker Tyge Landa, who was present yesterday morning when Stab’s good pal Mark Mathews snapped his leg while double-towing the formidable swell that was jabbing Australia’s eastern ribcage. “We went to South Oz last week and got skunked. So we headed out early this morning. His first one was ok and his second was a little chunky. It was solid six to eight foot, he got caught, dove and and got sucked over. It was a really sketchy wave and it was low tide as well. It looked like he broke his right leg. He must have landed feet-first on the rock ledge. I was driving the ski and Leroy waved me over… Mark was in a lot of pain. And he was upset – he only just got back in the water after the shoulder injury; he was like, ‘I can’t believe it… not again.’”

Tyge continues: “We put him on the back of the three-seater, we made an SOS call out the back and the ambulance told us not to give him any food or water. Mark was just laying on the beach in a shitload of pain. His leg looked dislocated. The ambulance arrived and they sedated him. They were then able to straighten his leg back up. Leroy has been doing this for a while and as soon as he realised how injured Mark was, it was a bit surreal. They did a good job though, and got him out of there in 20 minutes. It was pretty efficient.”

In case you’re unaware, Leroy partakes in the most daring style of surf photography imaginable – he and a surf buddy both tow into the same wave, Leroy at the back wearing pads and helmet, attempting to capture an in-the-tube moment from the foamball vantage point. Most of the time, he doesn’t escape the vortex. In this instance, the brave, charismatic gent that is Mr Mathews was the subject. “We’ve been working on a project with Leroy called Chasing The Shot,” continues Tyge. “It’s basically coming up with an idea and chasing the shot wherever you go. Mark really wanted to get the shot with Leroy riding behind him. I’m sure Mark will want to be chasing the shot again, and I’d be highly surprised if they don’t link back up. Mark really wants it up on his wall.” There might just be a little recovery before that. Here’s hoping it’s particularly speedy for our old friend.

This also isn’t the first time Mark’s come upon misfortune while trying to double-tow, as you’ll watch below, shot when Stab took Taj Burrow and Mark to WA’s The Right in search of the best surf photo ever. Get well soon, Chalk.