Harley Clifford: back in the water after a serious knee injury | Photo: Garrison/Red Bull

The Australian wakeboarding star is back in the water after spending eight months recovering from a serious knee injury.

Clifford, 23, wiped out while shooting a video clip for the 2016 X Games Real Wake contest. The rehabilitation process took place in his home country.

"It's been a big eight-month journey of ups and downs, hard work, determination, sweat, and tears recovering from my left knee ACL reconstruction, but I wouldn't have changed a thing!" said Clifford.

The six-time world wakeboarding champion is happy to be back on the wakeboard doing what he loves.

"I've been putting in work during this offseason! Want to thank all my coaches who have helped me get back in shape and back on the wakeboard, feeling strong and excited to see how 2017 unfolds!"