World-renowned underwater cinematographer Mike Prickett — known for his spellbinding work on such award-winning documentaries as Riding Giants and Step Into Liquid — is currently suffering from severe decompression sickness, aka “the bends” or “divers disease”, while shooting a commercial video in Rangiora, Tahiti last Wednesday.

Sources say the 47-year-old Hawaiian was sharing air with another diver, drained the tank, and had no choice but go straight to the surface without decompressing. At press time, Mike was undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a Papeete hospital.

“I was doing an underwater shoot for wetsuits and dive gear,” Prickett told Honolulu-based KITV News. “I saw another diver sinking and panicking. I dove down to 220 feet to save him, but he used up all my air. I’m glad I was able to rescue him and he could walk away from the incident. I want to thank my family and friends for their prayers.”
Unfortunately, the bends left Prickett paralyzed from the chest down. And though he has since regained some sensation in his legs, his condition is still serious. Surfline received an update from Tahiti-based photographer and Teahupo’o fixture Tim McKenna after he had returned from the hospital.
“Mike still has still has to do decompression chamber sessions until next Saturday,” reported Tim. “Forty-eight hours after the last session he can fly back to see a specialist, either in Australia or San Diego. He’s in pain and his spirits are pretty low. He still can’t feel his lower body.”

The best news in all this may actually come from Prickett’s past: An automobile accident back in 1984 shattered Mike’s right leg in 36 places and his left leg in seven. Doctors feared he’d never walk again and suggested swimming as physical therapy. All that rehab ultimately led to an interest in underwater cinematography, which led to a stellar career, which led to numerous awards including “Best Cinematography” at the Sundance Film Festival. In other words, this is a very empowered, industrious man we’re talking about here.

Details on a fundraiser to benefit his medical expenses will be announced soon. In the meantime, please pray for Mike and his wife Marya during this very troubling time.

story via surfline

The final day of the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover culminated today with perennial ASP World Title threat Taj Burrow (AUS), 33, and four-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, taking the respective wins in clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at the primary venue of Snapper Rocks.

The opening stop on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast enjoyed sunny weather, light winds and a capacity crowd for the final day of competition, with the world’s best surfers putting on a spectacular display of high-performance surfing.

Burrow defeated dangerous South American Adriano De Souza (BRA), 25, in a Final that came down to the wire. De Souza caught a wave in the dying minutes and launched into a massive air-reverse, requiring a 7.87 out of a possible 10 to take the lead. The judges deliberated until after the siren sounded and when it was announced that De Souza came a mere 0.27 short, Burrow was chaired up the beach and declared the 2012 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast champion.

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Rip Curl International is ecstatic to announce the re-signing of 2x ASP World Champion Mick Fanning to another 5 years. Per company policy, terms of the deal are not being disclosed.

Hailing from Australia’s Gold Coast, Fanning (30) has been a Rip Curl teamrider for over 14 years. From countless Search strikes to our ASP World Tour events, Mick has been an icon for the Brand, and he now enters the next 5 years with energy and enthusiasm for what the future holds.

“Maintaining my relationship with Rip Curl means a lot to me. We’ve been through so much together since I signed with them when I was just 16,” Fanning said.

“Working with Rip Curl has brought me some competitive success,” Fanning continued, “and I’m confident that with their support there will be more good times in the future.”

Neil Ridgway, Rip Curl Group Advertising and Marketing Chairman, shares the same excitement about the continued relationship, “Mick is our number one guy. He’s part of our crew and we love him. There was never any doubt we’d have another five years together. Stoked.”

Coming off a lingering neck injury, Fanning is rejuvenated and healthy as he enters the 2012 ASP World Tour season in pursuit of his 3rd ASP World Title.

Aside from competition, some new Rip Curl/MF (Mick Fanning) video projects and product collections are in the works that both parties are excited about.

“The most exciting thing about staying with Rip Curl is some of the projects we have planned together for the future,” Fanning stated. “Rip Curl have shared their vision with me and it’s something I want to be apart of.”

Connect with Mick Fanning:

web: www.mickfanning.com
Twitter: @mick_fanning
Facebook: Mick Fanning