In the world of surfing, Dylan Longbottom is a name always in demand. The Australian surfer is well-known in the community for being one of the best surfboard shapers around. In fact, when the waves are not up to the mark, Longbottom spends his free time creating some epic surfboards, a vocation that he has inherited from his father.

Talking about his experience in surfing, Dylan Longbottom is a fearless big-wave rider, who has managed to ride some of the scariest waves in the world. While he earlier competed in surfing competitions, he later forwent them to become a free surfer popular for his fearless approach to the waves. But even his vast experience could not save him from the frightening might of the ocean.

Surfing a new wave lands expert in the hospital

As a big wave surfer, there is no doubt that Dylan Longbottom must have dealt with the consequences of a brutal wipeout before. However, probably none of them were as serious as this one. After a particularly savage wipeout at Tasmania’s Shipstern Bluff, the Australian big-wave charger is now in the hospital with four broken ribs and a punctured lung. Due to the puncture, blood and fluid have also accumulated in his lungs. Moreover, his broken ribs will need to be surgically corrected, which is rare and on top of the punctured lung, an added risk.

Longbottom posted an update about his condition, along with the video of the wipeout that landed him in the hospital. He also shared his X-rays, showing his broken ribs, on Instagram. In the caption, Dylan Longbottom explained the cause of the surfing accident, and said, “Well this was my first wave at a new location for me… I thought I had a good line on this wave and had enough speed but it just kept growing and bottoming out so fast!” Being a surfboard shaper, Dylan was riding one of his own designs, called ‘Predator’, while out on the sea. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the wrong choice and resulted in a crash that left the big-wave surfer severely injured

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While he gets treated in the hospital, Longbottom has decided to take it easy for a while. In the caption, he also mentioned, “Be back shaping in about a week hopefully, but no surfing for a couple of months, with some precious quality family time and work to catch up on.” With surfing out of the equation for a while, Longbottom will likely spend more time on his other passion, shaping.

A master charger and a talented shaper

In the 1970s, Dylan would hop along with his father as he delivered surfboards to his clients. Almost five decades later, the Australian is still carrying on his legacy. Dylan’s father, Ross, was a pioneer shaper, a talent he passed on to his son. His father worked at Gordon & Smith Surfboards, and Dylan would hang out at his dad’s workplace often enough to be inspired to create some of his own. According to an interview with SURFD, the first board that Longbottom ever created was in 1999, a 6’1″ performance board that won the Australia Air Show.

Growing up with his father, who was a surfer and a shaper, Dylan had been surfing since he was five years old. When his family moved to Dapto, in Australia, the big-wave charger fit into his new role as a fearless surfer. At the age of 18, he was officially sponsored by Billabong, after emerging victorious in local competitions. On his first sponsored surfing trip, Dylan Longbottom was first introduced to Teahupo’o, a wave that would define the surfer that he is today. Dylan’s eagle-eyed focus, natural talent, and unique fearless quotient while riding waves will hopefully transfer to his recovery, and he will be back to riding waves before we miss his presence.

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