Mich Di Betta : photo Carol Cunningham / Cunninghamphotos

CHAMPION PADDLEBOARDER MICK DIBETTA SERIOUSLY INJURES LEG TOW-SURFING

Injury May End Illustrious Paddleboarding Career

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 7 March, 2006 : - - HONOLULU - Australian Mick Di Betta, seven-year record holder of the Quiksilveredition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard race in Hawaii, seriously injured his leg over the weekend during a big-wave tow-in surfing accident in Queensland, Australia.

The injury shattered the knee and tibia of one of his legs and required immediate reconstructive surgery. Surgeons inserted a large metal plate and many screws into his leg. Doctors forecast he will not be able to walk for three months. The injury will require intensive and lengthy rehabilitation if he is to have any chance of returning to international competition.

"The injury occurred on Saturday in really big, cyclonic surf off the Gold Coast of Queensland," said Australian spokeswoman Mandy McKinnon. "Mick and Jamie Mitchell were tow-in surfing. Apparently Mick went over the falls on a wave of about six meters (18 feet). "I spoke to Mick shortly after he came out of surgery and he was incredibly upset. He couldn't find many words other than to repeat that he may never be able to paddle again."

A long-time Australian lifeguard, Di Betta, 42, has been working as the Water Patrol Captain for the Quiksilver Pro world championship surfing competition currently underway on the Gold Coast. At the time of the accident, competition had been called off due to victory-at-sea conditions.

The leader in Australian-style knee-paddling - a technique that has been close to unbeatable over the nine years of the Molokai to Oahu paddleboard race, Di Betta internationally debuted his winning style in the inaugural Molokai to Oahu crossing of 1997, recording a time of 5 hours, 22 minutes and 48 seconds. It was a record that stood for seven years.

Di Betta was responsible for coaching current world paddleboard champion Jamie Mitchell (Australia) to victory in the Molokai to Oahu race four times. It was Mitchell who finally broke Di Betta's record in 2004. Mitchell is also the defending champion of that event.

Until this past weekend, Di Betta was regarded a contender in every international race he entered. He was planning a return to Oahu this summer for the paddleboard season and a shot at the 10th anniversary Quiksilveredition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race, to be held Sunday, July 30, 2006.

www.quiksilver.com

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Jodi Young

Paddleboard - Surfersvillage