Big Wave Surfer Breaks His Back Riding 50-Foot Mega-Wave In Portugal

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Andrew Cotton is dancing around death at this point. Last year, in an attempt to break the world record, the 36-year-old British surfer was demolished by a 60-foot wave while surfing at Farol da Nazare, Nazare, Portugal. Cotton was thrust underwater for 15 seconds and miraculously escaped with just a minor arm injury.

Most recently, Cotton was not so lucky. According to The Guardian, the world record-holding surfer broke his back after falling off his board while riding a huge wave in the same spot in Portugal he tempted fate a year ago. The father of two was rescued by a team of local lifeguards, immobilized on a spinal board and taken by ambulance to hospital.

Cotton told reporters:

“What can I say? I got a little excited this morning and ending up having possibly the worst wipeout impact-wise of my life. Thank you to all the lifeguards and crew on the beach who helped stabilize me and do a great spinal recovery. I can’t name everyone but you all did your bit to get me safely to the hospital.

“I have broken my back but I’ve been really lucky. I’m already looking forward and focusing my energy to get fit and back out there on some more big rollers.”

I’m no life coach, but maybe you should take up another hobby, like knitting. Your family would probably appreciate that.

When you come home drunk after forgetting it’s your anniversary…

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[h/t The Guardian]

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Matt’s love of writing was born during a sixth grade assembly when it was announced that his essay titled “Why Drugs Are Bad” had taken first prize in D.A.R.E.’s grade-wide contest. The anti-drug people gave him a $50 savings bond for his brave contribution to crime-fighting, and upon the bond’s maturity 10 years later, he used it to buy his very first bag of marijuana.