The surfing community and injuries have had a love-hate relationship since forever. But that doesn’t mean accidents don’t make hearts heave anymore. Instead, seasoned surfers like Kelly Slater know misfortune can strike at any time, and that’s why, being cautious always helps. But even then, sometimes the scare can be worse than actually the magnitude of the injury, and the 11x WSL champ couldn’t be happier about it.

On Wednesday, former world champion surfer Tom Carroll faced a shocking accident, slamming his head against his board while surfing at North Narrabeen Beach in Australia. Given Carroll’s legendary status within the surfing community, fans were understandably distressed upon hearing the news. However, as positive updates about his recovery began to surface, fellow surf icon Kelly Slater joined others in expressing his relief and joy.

Kelly Slater is finally able to breathe normally again

A couple of days ago, the goofy foot legend shared an update about his condition. “I just got a few stitches on the head,” Carroll can be heard saying with a shy grin in the video posted by Surfline Australia on Instagram. He also noted that a sore neck and some spinal discomfort are present, “but they were cleared,” mentions the world’s first-ever millionaire surfer.

“I think it was having sunscreen on my hands, to be honest. I slipped off the rail and fell on the board. It all happened so quick, but I do remember everything – the crunch, and the feeling, and the loud sound within my head, and the fact this sort of shocked me,” Tom had previously stated about what went down in his home country earlier this week. He also wasn’t beating around the bush about the whole ordeal to confess how it was “embarrassing“.

For obvious reasons, the surfing community has breathed a collective sigh of relief after learning that Carroll is already on his way to recovery. Among them, Kelly Slater looked particularly happy to know that his predecessor wasn’t in any grave threat. “Love ya, Tom!” Slater was quick to head to the comment section and express his gladness over the incident. Soon, the encouraging fans followed suit in throngs.

The surfing world revels in the good news

When Tahitian pro surfer Eimeo Czermak crossed paths with a potentially career-ending injury earlier this year, Slater was quick to round up the fans to urge them

to help out the rising star. This time too, he looked like a rock was lifted from his chest after receiving news of Carroll’s wellbeing. Others felt the same. Carroll won his first world championship in 1983, and surfing has remained a lifelong passion for the Australian despite bidding adieu to the professional scene long ago. “Stoked to hear the good news about the bad news Tom,” one surfing enthusiast sounded bright and hopeful about seeing Carroll back in his natural element soon.

When a

surfing connoisseur left the mortal world after an accident in Cape Town earlier this year, the community grieved together to honor the departed soul’s memory. But the former WCT world champ’s good luck has brought a smile to many faces around the world. “Great to see that big smile and a mere flesh wound!” another fan also felt the pressure easing.

For another fan, it seems like the gut feeling was that something bad couldn’t happen to Tom, especially considering the joyous times we’re in right now. “

That’s great Happy Thanksgiving,” noted the fan while being jubilant about Carroll escaping the incident without much trouble. “The whole surfing world loves and cares for TC! The mark of a great man,” remarked another fan, underscoring that the thoughts of the entire community never stopped praying for the 2x world champ surfing veteran. Are you also as happy as Kelly Slater to know Tom is okay? Share your message for the surfing icon with us below!