Warrior wipe-out
Surf star in publicity shoot blow
SURF lifesaving’s new Beach Warrior format is off to the worst possible start after a “regrettable accident” at a promotional shoot left six-time Coolangatta Gold champion Ali Day with two broken wrists.
Day, arguably the biggest name in surf sports and the 2018/19 Nutri-Grain Series winner, is at risk of a disjointed preparation for the season following the accident earlier this month on the Gold Coast.
It’s understood Day was attempting to perform a pose on a set of monkey bars half a metre above the ground when he fell on to a grass surface, causing the injury.
Beach Warrior is a community-based beach obstacle race that will be held on the Gold Coast in October on the same weekend as the Cooly Gold.
The Surfers Paradise ironman, 29, had surgery earlier this month and is recovering well but will be sidelined for several weeks. While the Cooly Gold isn’t until October, Day could be left behind rivals given many have already begun fitness training for the celebrated event.
In a statement to the Bulletin, Surf Life Saving Australia described Day’s injury as a “regrettable accident” but said they would support Day during his recovery.
“We are sorry to hear that Ali was in an accident during a publicity shoot for the upcoming Beach Warrior event and we all wish him a speedy recovery,” SLSA surf sport manager Wayne Drury said.
Beach Warrior organiser, Imagine This owner Mike Porra – who earlier this month called the revamped summer schedule the biggest changes in the sport’s recent history – sent Day his best wishes.
“We are all wishing Ali a quick and speedy recovery, so he’ll be back on the beach soon,” he said. “I feel so much for Ali because this was such a freak accident.”