Jamie Mitchell fractured his sternum after suffering a wipeout in Puerto Escondido, Mexico.
The Californian surfer-waterman got barreled on a giant right-hander, but the wave closed out. The surfboard eventually hit Mitchell in the chest, and he made it to the shore in agonizing pain.
Jamie Mitchell couldn't breathe or call for help, so he took a few waves on the head before the lifeguards reached him. According to the big wave rider, everything happened when he was trying to catch his last wave of the session.
The winner of the 2016 Nazaré Challenge was quickly transported to the hospital where a fractured sternum was confirmed.
"Long story short is I'll be fine. Glad to have some solid friends by my side today. What else can you do but laugh, although laughing hurts like hell? Already looking forward to the next swell and surfing with all my brothers," said Mitchell.
Puerto Escondido's Zicatela Beach is often regarded as the Mexican Pipeline. In the first week of July, the infamous beach break was hit by a massive SSW swell, attracting many foreign surfers.