‘Most dangerous place’: Aussie ‘nearly drowned’ in epic takedown of world’s best surfer

Aussie surfers Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing have survived what has been described as possibly the most dangerous day of all Olympic competition to advance to the quarter-finals at Teahupoo. More than 15,000km from the Olympic base in Paris, surfing ramped up in spectacular style at the gnarly Tahitian reef break in French Polynesia, renowned as one of the most feared waves in the world – a spot that has claimed the lives of five surfers.

Robinson, from Western Australia, said he nearly drowned when wiping out in his heat against World No.1 surfer John John Florence of the USA in the huge barrelling waves. In noticeably bigger surf than previous days, neither were able to put a meaningful score on the board in the first half of their 30-minute heat.

Chasing a score, Robinson and Florence both disappeared into the wash and required rescuing from jet-skis within seconds of each other. Robinson survived a nasty hold-down to then paddle into a heat winning 7.17 ride out of 10, and eliminate the Hawaiian with a two-wave heat total of 13.94 to 9.07.

Most dangerous sport in the world, says Jack Robinson

Catching his breath after the thrilling heat, Robinson said he is glad that everyone got out of the water safely. “We have the most dangerous sport in the world, and that is the most dangerous place in the world out there,” Robinson told Channel 9.

Just a few days ago when training for the Olympic competition Robinson was carried out of the surf at Teahupoo and was taken to hospital after slicing his foot open on the reef, but he recovered in time to take his place in the Australia team. After taking out Florence in their round three heat Robinson, 26, who grew up surfing big waves in the Margaret River region of WA, is one of the favourites for the gold medal.

Ethan Ewing conquers Teahupoo after breaking back a year ago

Also at home in big surf is Queenslander Ethan Ewing who advanced to the Olympic quarter finals with a round three win over Connor O’Leary of Japan in treacherous conditions. Ewing, from North Stradbroke Island, found a chunky barrel that scored him 8.67. He achieved a heat total of 14.17 to O’Leary’s 11.00.

Ewing has showed tremendous courage to return to Teahupoo after breaking his back at the break a year ago. He will now take on Robinson in an all Aussie quarter final.

As conditions deteriorated at Teahupoo on Monday afternoon (local time) the women’ competition, featuring Australia’s Tyler Wright, was postponed. Both the men’s and women’s events are likely to go on hold as officials wait for conditions to improve.