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Injury Updates - Tahiti 2015

Injury Updates - Tahiti 2015

Last updated October 17, 2015 by Surf-Stats

Jeremy Flores (Concussion, Facial Fractures) Closer to Probable:

11 August, 2015 – Jeremy Flores just lifted our spirits on Instagram, posting himself deep behind a Teahupo’o curtain with the caption “Let’s do it again !”  We are hopeful, but know that this sort of hype can often be just that – hype and nothing more.  We’ll wait until the 13th to slap a Probable tag on him, but don’t drop him from your team just yet.

Matt Banting (Knee) and Jordy Smith (Back) Officially OUT for Tahiti:

11 August, 2015 – According to the Billabong Pro Tahiti official Heat Draw, Matt Banting and Jordy Smith have withdrawn from the event.  They will be replaced by Aritz Aranburu and Garrett Parkes respectively.  We are working on our Outlooks to get up to speed and in the meantime, here’s the new Heat Draw:

Smith/Banting OUT - New Heat Draw Released
Smith/Banting OUT – New Heat Draw Released

11 August, 2015 -Banting just posted this to Instagram.  It appears as though he’ll be withdrawing officially from the Billabong Pro Tahiti, though we still wait for an official statement…Screen Shot 2015-08-11 at 03.00.14

9 August, 2015: Aritz Aranburu In, Banting (or Smith, or Both) OUT:

Aritz took to Instagram today to announce he’s slated for the Billabong Pro Tahiti, saying he was happy for the opportunity but sad it had to come from another surfer’s injury.  He wished a healthy recovery to Matt Banting and Jordy Smith, so one or both of them will be withdrawing:

Aranburu IN for Tahiti, Banting and/or Smith OUT
Aranburu IN for Tahiti, Banting and/or Smith OUT

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Injury Status Report for the 2015 Tahiti Pro

Mick Fanning and Julian Wilson (Shark Encounter) – In for Tahiti

Mick Fanning (Shark Encounter) - In for Tahiti
Mick Fanning (Shark Encounter) – In for Tahiti

6 August, 2015 –  Mick Fanning has been verbally assertive that he’s regaining normalcy following the J-Bay Shark Encounter heard ’round the world.  In a recent interview with Good Morning America, Fanning stated: 

“It’d be great just to get back into the water, get back into an event and just concentrate on surfing again.”  

Good news for Mick:  There is only 1 record of a fatal shark attack in French Polynesia according to sharkattackdata.com (a man was “…tossed overboard to sharks by Rodrigue brothers who were later executed in Manila” in 1893.  No, 1893 is not a typo.)

Unlike Mick Fanning, Julian Wilson may not be dealing with the emotional stress of his shark encounter well – at least publicly.  After initial interviews in the wake of the J-Bay Final, Wilson has since been quiet, letting his long-term girlfriend, Ashley Osborne, do the talking.  Stating in an interview with the Daily Telegraph on 25 July she said 

“[Julian] hasn’t really done much yet to try and move on, but hopefully he will have a surf soon and he will be feeling a lot better afterwards.”  

The only record of Wilson’s return to the water has been a lightly publicized “quick surf” in his home town of Coolum. Monitor closely as this short session may be a publicity move to prove he’s over the emotional stress of the event.  


Jordy Smith (Back) – Doubtful  (THIS VIDEO IS NOT CURRENT!)

9 August, 2015 – Aritz Aranburu took to Instagram today to announce he’ll be surfing in the Billabong Pro Tahiti.  He was only specific enough to wish a recovery to Matt Banting as well as Jordy Smith.  It would appear the camps of both surfers do not want to admit withdrawal any earlier than they have to.  Smith has been posting old footage on social media perhaps to stay marketable while he’s dry.

8 August, 2015 – It would appear that Jordy Smith is back in action as per Josh Kerr’s recent Instagram Post – worth checking out, he punts a ridiculous alley oop.  We still have no official word on his back injury from Jordy himself, but if this video is recent we have no reason to believe he’ll withdraw.

Jordy Smith (Back) - Uncertain for Tahiti
Jordy Smith (Back) – Uncertain for Tahiti

6 August, 2015 –  The knee drama is over, but uncertainty still surrounds Jordy Smith’s back injury as no official diagnosis has been released.  Currently, he is slated to surf Teahupo’o, but we’ve seen last minute withdrawals consistently this season.  Monitor this situation closely if you plan on playing Smith for TAH.


Matt Banting (Knee) – OUT

9 August, 2015 – It appears a withdrawal from Matt Banting will be made official sometime soon.  Aritz Aranburu all but made the announcement via Instagram t0day.

1 August, 2015 – As per an Instagram post, Banting’s “…knee is still on the mend, slowly getting better..”  but it still kept him out of the Vans US Open last week. With his return to action uncertain, he’ll remain doubtful for Tahiti. 

10 July, 2015 – Matt Banting pulled out of the J-Bay Open with a dislocated knee following a freesurf wipeout.  Diagnosis is a dry 3-6 weeks and Tahiti falls right in that time frame.  Banting should be monitored heading into the event, and is doubtful to be in the lineup for CT #7.


Jeremy Flores (Facial Fractures, Concussion) – Uncertain

Jeremy Flores - Uncertain for Tahiti
Jeremy Flores – Uncertain for Tahiti

8 August, 2015 – Flores took to Instagram again yesterday to give us all some hope, stating he’ll be testing the waters.  It is still 50/50 on whether or not he will withdraw.

Jeremy Flores Indonesia Injury
Jeremy Flores Indonesia Injury

16 July, 2015 –  Flores is still dealing with frequent headaches due to his concussion suffered in June.  In an interview with Surfing Magazine Flores stated

“…I can’t say Tahiti is a guarantee. But if the headaches cease, I’m there.”  

Recently last weekend Flores was able to get in the water and surf with the protection of a helmet and headphones.  It is a good sign but it is still not a guarantee.  This would be Flores’ second year in a row missing this event. 

3 July, 2015 – Flores has officially withdrawn from the 2015 J-Bay Open.  Alejo Muniz will rejoin the CT as his replacement.

2 July, 2015 – Jeremy Flores is considered doubtful for Jeffreys Bay, stating in a recent interview with Surfline “…I doubt I’ll be ready for J-Bay.  I am hoping to be 100% for Teahupo’o.”  This comes as little shock to those following the story and seriousness of Jeremy’s horrific Indonesia injury.  Monitor the situation moving forward, but don’t plan on Flores suiting up for CT #6.

27 June, 2015  – Flores is the latest injury-bug question-mark heading into Jeffreys Bay.  He recently took a hard wipeout in IDO and required air-lifting for facial lacerations and concussion.  There is thankfully no brain damage and Flores is expected to make a full recovery, though his status for JBay remains unclear.


John John Florence (Ankle) – Probable

John John Florence (Ankle) - Uncertain for Tahiti
John John Florence (Ankle) – Uncertain for Tahiti

7 August, 2015 – As per a recent video interview and post by Stab Magazine, John John is looking healthy and surfing well, wearing an ankle brace for precautionary reasons. We’ll keep his status as Probable until he paddles out for H11, though.

6 August, 2015 –  Still no updates on John John’s status as usual.  Initial diagnosis was back in June and he seemed almost ready for J-Bay.  We will keep his status as Uncertain, however, until a statement is made.  Missing another event would be a crushing blow to John John’s World Title bid.

6 July, 2015 – Florence has officially withdrawn from the J-Bay Open.  WSL Deputy Commissioner Renato Hickel said in a statement  that Florence “…tried to recover up to the last possible day to fly to J-Bay.  But as his foot still pretty sore he decided to miss the event and be ready for Tahiti.”  In his stead, Tomas Hermes (BRA) will get his first CT start of 2015.

27 June, 2015 – John John experienced a high ankle sprain that kept him out of Fiji.  He’s hopeful, but being vague about injury is never a good sign and his status should be monitored heading into ZAF.


Brett Simpson (Back) – In 

Brett Simpson (Back) - In for Tahiti
Brett Simpson (Back) – In for Tahiti

6 August, 2015 –  Simpson surfed (albeit not great) at the Vans US Open last week and should be considered a full go for Tahiti. 

2 July, 2015 – Heading into July, Brett Simpson tossed up an Instagram pic of himself snapping a backhander with the comment “Feels great to be back in the water!!”  Sufficiently securing his roster spot among the lineup for J-Bay, Simpo can be considered for your fantasy lineups.

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