First, world number 3 Owen Wright pulled out from the Australian Open of Surfing and now Brett Simpson of the USA has had to pull out.

Simpo, the two-time US Open Champion and 2012 World Number 19, cut open the bottom of his foot surfing on the Gold Coast. He was warming up for the low-ranked four-star Breaka Pro, tried a fancy aerial and his board attacked him.

“It happened so fast,” said Simpo. “The tail of my board was facing the beach and pearled. My feet were in the air and somehow the middle fin poked me right in the middle of my foot.”

Simpo hasn’t ridden a wave since and expects he won’t be ready to for at least another week.

“It’s definitely a bit of a bummer, I’ve been feeling good and I was looking forward to competing at Manly.”

Good news is Simpo will still be coming down to check out the event. If you see an American limping round, say g’day.

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