Now this’ll fire you up…

This was a chance meeting came through a good friend.

It took place a few weeks back and involved a seriously focused guy (Talan). Talan had a horrific motor cycle accident a few years back that left him paralysed from the mid torso down (level T4 spinal break). He has use of his arms, but everything below the chest area ceased to work.

He spent six months on his back in hospital, staring at the ceiling and trying to comprehend what had happened and how things would be going forward. Prior to his accident, he had been a PE teacher in the Navy, rugby player and skier. Skiing had been his main passion and he was told that because of the level of his injury, unlike others who had a lower level break, he would be unable to ski again. So he stuck of a photo of a skier on the ceiling above his bed and set his mind on being back on the slopes.

Two years later and after intense rehabilitation, this focus led him back out to the mountains. Two years later and he won the bronze medal at the Noram ski races and is now lining up the 2010 Paralympics - an unbelievable achievement. The journey was not without its ups and downs. He had to have a specially adapted ski for his condition, has since broken his neck (twice) and had to be cut out of a tree after crashing off the piste.

We all met in a small cafe in North Cornwall a few weeks ago with the idea of applying this kind focus to surfing and getting Talan surfing again. There is also added complication is that he has no cough reflex. Round the table was Talan, his girlfriend Anna, a good mate Howy, a local shaper, Chris and myself all trying to work out a plan. The first step was for Chris to work out what sort of board he should make.

In an area of rehabilitation that has up to a 40% suicide rate, the ability for guys like Talan to show what can be done is an awesome thing. The idea is to use surfing and Tallan’s inspiration to get more people in the water. So have a look at these photos - taken yesterday - first crack - it fired us up. (posted by TK)

This entry was posted on Monday, July 21st, 2008 at 11:05 am and is filed under General.