When Leonardo Fioravanti went for a morning surf at Huntington Beach before the Vans US Open of Surfing, he didn’t expect to end it in the hospital. But after attempting an aerial, his board put him there.
“During a foggy Saturday morning surf session in Huntington Beach,” wrote the WSL, “the board flew back at him during a botched aerial attempt.” The wound required 20 stitches.
“I had a tough day free surfing at Huntington yesterday,” Fioravanti wrote on Facebook. “I got my own fin to the head and ended up needing 20 stitches internal and external!!”
Although it’s not certain whether he’ll be able to surf his heat on Tuesday, he’s made it very clear that he doesn’t want to sit this one out. “Going to do everything in my power to be ready to surf my heat on Tuesday!!”
Leo, of course, is no stranger to injury. The 18-year-old Italian broke his back at Pipeline a few years ago, and spent months rehabilitating himself. Now he’s points leader in the QS and one of surfing’s fastest rising stars. Best wishes to Leo on a speedy recovery.
