Well, when I got back from Chile in the final, on the last wave, I hit my knee hard on the reef but just thought it was really sore and should be right.
Well before going to J-bay it was taking a bit to get better and so I went to the Doc and had it checked out just to make sure and found out that I fractured the bottom of my knee cap.
waves that break this long and mechanically need bionic knees.
Was pretty devastated when the Doc told me to, “Stay off it and it will heal in six weeks.” I told him I was going to J-Bay no matter what and he said to just surf heats then.
Got to J-Bay and surfed before my heat and felt okay, the pain was tolerable but the knee just felt really weak with how long that dang wave is. It’s a hard wave for me to surf and with a bum knee felt like a kook out there.
Didn’t say much because didn’t really want any one to know because a lot of times at J-Bay only a few waves come in and felt that if I could be on those waves could have a chance to make a couple of heats but didn’t happen.
I am back home now and the family did great on the trip. I think Savanna did better than me on the plane, she was sleeping for like 12 hours long on the trip back which was a treat.
Well will be just chilling for about a month to get this knee right which I am sure my family is stoked about because there’ll be no jetting off to do any trips.
Sometimes that’s good because you can hang with family and friends that you haven’t seen in awhile but it’s hard because all I’m thinking about is getting back in the water.
Peace!
Damo
worldprosurfers 
Sorry to hear about the knee and the poor result. Keep off it so that you’ll be in good shape by the event at Lowers. Enjoy the time with the family!!!!
Comment by Cristen — July 17, 2007 @ 9:06 pm
dont lie
Comment by doc — July 22, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
Dear Damien,
I’m from Madeira Island, rumor has that you and your brother were here some years ago… My friends Manel and Belmiro from Jardim do Mar say it’s true as they say they even hanged out with you guys, while you were here. But some guys think they are bullshitting us as you never came back here again, and that there’s no footage or photos of you guys surfing here… anyway, since the constructions around a few waves foreigners stopped coming here which was good cause the crowd stayed low but we never saw any good and inspiring surfing on our waves, as no more top pros showed up.
I think it’s time you guys payed us a visit, you’re very welcome.
Have a good and quick recovery,
André
Comment by Andre Gato — July 24, 2007 @ 11:30 am