Foot Op

So I had the operation on Monday at the start of this week and have just been recovering. It seems like everything went to plan, except that I forgot to tell the surgeon that I'm flying today. This apparently is ok, except for the fact that I have a two week course of blood thinning injections which I have to inject into my stomach everyday! Not particularly enjoyable.

Went and had the follow up appointment last night and I got to see the damage for the first time. It actually looks pretty clean which is cool and my doctor told me exactly what he had done. For anyone who doesn;t want to know the minor details then I wouldn't read on.

The picture below shows the surface scar I will have. The work below the surface consists of clipping off the bumpy bits on top of the joint and then smoothing it down, then the joint was pulled apart and all the debris was cleaned out, following that some of the ligaments under the toe were snipped so I could increase my range of motion and then all stitched up....niiiiice!

So it's 4 weeks out of any impact sports, and really it won't be until Cape Town (all of Feb) that I'll be back on it again. Good time to get it done and I'll be sure to get some skiing in, in Jan, I hope.

A particular favourite snap of mine below... the colouring makes it look just that little bit more horrific... yum yum!

Nominated for UKWA Windsurfer of the year - WOOOOO

YEHHHHHHHHHHHH

http://ukwindsurfing.com/woty/

So sick! Everything I wanted to happen by the end of 2012 has all happened this year! Please head over to the UKWA site (link above) to register your vote for UK Windsurfer of the year for who ever you feel deserves it...

Some highlights of my year below:

Videos:

Egypt Road Trip: http://video.mpora.com/watch/DSUJK6EoF/
Fuerteventura: http://video.mpora.com/watch/iFPoKQ2mg/
UKWA Freestyle Tour stop no.5: http://video.mpora.com/watch/vSSOxF3AN/
One fully epic power hour at West Witterings: http://video.mpora.com/watch/IN4IMz197/
SWA Aussie Kiss (epic event): http://video.mpora.com/watch/mHdik6HBz/

Photos:

http://video.mpora.com/watch/mHdik6HBz/

Night tow-in, AK XXX, Witterings coaching, Austriaaa

With the competition season coming to a bit of a close and the student scene kicking off I figured now is a good time for a bit of an all round update.

So going back a bit now but Si Crowther just released these images from the night tow-in session at Hayling Island, some cool shots, thanks Si.

 Practice/qualifying during the day

Since then was obviously the Poole windfest where I was super happy to take the 2011 UK Freestyle title, something that I previously covered with pics but it really has only just sunk in! It's one of those few achievements in my life that I can't actually describe how happy I am about it, especially with the level UK Freestyle is at!

So moving on to the Student Windsurfing event - Aussie Kiss 10. The first in their series and something I am helping out with in terms of demo gear from RRD. It's cool to go back as a demo guy and not to have to think about competing, but at the same time I miss that side a little bit. It's such an awesome way into competition though. No pressure and you compete when the wind as it's best. This year the event was pretty messy as per usual, a big party on Saturday night but with wind on Sunday it gave us a good chance to get out on the water and clear the hangovers a bit... pics below from Jay Haysey (www.globalshots.co.uk)

The following weekend whilst the UK's wave fleet were scoring it at Gwithian, Jamie Drummond, Sam Ross and myself were doing a bit of a freestyle kids camp at West Witterings. It went really well, with alright wind on Saturday and Trevor and Julian from the UKWA turning up to do a bit of an intro to competing and judging on Sunday.

Now I'm out in Vienna, Austria, desperate for an 'under-the-bridge' session and with a good forecast on the way, it looks like a strong possibility! Then it's home for a couple of weeks, hopefully to hook up with Josh Willmot to get some shots for some (top secret) video plans we have, then it's the operation and a bit of time out!

More soon on the bridge session if it happens...