My son was wearing his protech helmet with earflaps and still blew out his eardrum yesterday on a backroll attempt. <BR> <BR>On the other hand, the crash was so violent, I can only imagine what the damage would have been if he wasn't wearing a helmet . . .

Ouch! Sorry to hear that Steven, I hope you're son is alright.

I wonder if ear plugs would work better ?

Wow, sorry to hear that. The river seems to have been cursed last weekend and apparently I'm the only one to escape unhurt and without boat or truck problems! <BR> <BR>Did you buy a wakesurf board yet <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/rofl.gif" border=0>

Hey Steve - I hope Christian is ok. He must be really progressing to be attempting backrolls, last time I seen him riding he was just clearing the wake.

Hey Steve, sorry to hear that about your son...is the damage perm, or temp...does that kinda thing heal on it's own? <BR> <BR>BTW...Did you guys make it to the delta last weekend? If so, how was it?

It'll be fine in a coupla weeks. I usually do it once a season. The wax plugs work well.

Greg: we couldn't get our act together enough for a delta trip. Then again, if Christie Fisher posts that she's looking for thirds I'll be on my knees begging! <BR> <BR>Wax ear plugs for sure-- with the helmet and flaps. J-Rod thanks for the encouragement. Doctor said she could see right through the ear drum. He'll see a specialist but 99% chance it's minor so, in the long run, this lesson in humility should serve my son well. <BR> <BR>How'd it happen? Classic situation: he was trying to do a trick he was not ready for. <BR> <BR>Bill, I'm hiding the credit card! Christian's already starting with, "I can't ride for a few weeks, but I can still wakesurf!" <BR> <BR>Still, we had an awesome, awesome weekend!

Go Christian!! I'm sure he'll be okay. Oh and I did notice a sac or two at the shop that are ready for sale<IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

I've started to use the Pro Plugs after I blew my eardrum a few months back. They looked a little nicer to stick in your ear than the wax ones and I think they actually work better as they have a air valve that releases the pressure. <a href="http://www.proplugs.com" target="_blank">www.proplugs.com</a> About $7 at a local dive shop.

<a href="http://www.proplugs.com/wakeboarding.html" target="_blank">http://www.proplugs.com/wakeboarding.html</a>

i blew out my eardrum with a ts 5 and a helmet.... so far i'm ear drum blowage free with docs pro plugs.... and yes, i've crashed hard.

how are you crashing when you blow out a ear drum? are you landing with your ear perpendicular with the travel of the boat, so the full force goes right in? or is it more of a combination of things?

Best I can understand, an eardrum blows out when water enters the ear and the air that was there has no way to escape besides blowing out the back. Christian broke the water on landing with the side of his head. Combination of things, I guess.

I have an easy fix. Don't fall! <BR> <BR>I've been lucky (Knock on wood) but I've smacked the side of my head pretty hard and only got an ear ache. I guess my time will come.

Hope your son recovers quickly! It's too bad the water is just now the best it's been all season. I think we have an abused demo inland surfer we could give you for a steal to get christian in the water while he recovers.

I was with Steve and Christian when it happened - I was also video taping although I looked up when I saw his trick was going very poorly which made the shot bad. I'll upload it tonight. <BR> <BR>What he did: As he was cutting up the wake (this was his first attempt at a backroll BTW) he released with he FRONT hand and yanked hard with his BACK hand and lookup up at the sky. Basically what he ended up doing was something like an off-axis, bs, 270 (not a 360). Further, he only rotated about 100 to 120 degrees so his body was following his board as he flew over the far wake. So basically he landed on his head facing away from the boat (as I recall) <BR> <BR>It was a pretty bad crash but I was surprised about his ear when I heard the next day. <BR> <BR> <BR>He went out with us last weekend but didnt ride. His spirits are high and he has learned a little humility (which, of course comes automatically with age and that familiar soreness when you roll out of bed).

yes...i did it...and my ear still hurts

Is it necessary to wear a helmet with earflaps, when you wear the ear plugs?

Couldnt get the video to upload last night - will work on it again next week - its worth watching if I can figure it out.

There was a reason I couldnt get the video to upload - I believe I got hacked as most of my programs were gone. Got to learn all about FDISK and the joys that go with it. Will upload the vid when I get everything working again. <BR> <BR>Steve, is everything OK with your house?

I blew out my eardrum about two weeks before his, Mine seems to be healed 100%. So, he'll be on the water soon. I have been out twice with ear plugs and I am getting a custom fitted plug made by the doctor that treated my ear. FYI, all I did was catch an edge on a butterslide 180, instinctively turned my head and landed ear first. I am surprised more people have not done this.

Jim, I talked to Steve and he is safe and his home intact.

Finally! here is the video of Christian Cowen attempting his first backroll. It didnt work out too good for him but he is young and mostly still indestructible so he'll be back soon. <BR> <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.wakepics.com/media/Cap0005---wp1.mpg" target="_blank">http://www.wakepics.com/media/Cap0005---wp1.mpg</a>

Try this link instead - I couldnt get the one above to work. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.wakepics.com/img/9452" target="_blank">http://www.wakepics.com/img/9452</a>