Big Wave surfer Alex Botelho has been hospitalised after becoming displaced and dumped into the surf in an incident at the Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge in Portugal in a big North Atlantic swell.
Botelho, from Portugal, was rescued from the surf and placed on a backboard prior to being taken to hospital. The World Surf League later reported he was "conscious and stable".
Tow surfing involves one team member driving a jet ski to place the other on a wave they might not have caught by paddling.
It is the first time the event has been run as part of the World Surf League's Big Wave world tour.
Ten national teams of two are competing in the event where finalists are decided by ''video evidence'', the WSL says.
Big Wave surfer Alex Botelho of Portugal. Credit:Instagram
The event allows the two team members to alternate between driving and surfing, each competing for an hour.
Australia's entrants in the event are Ross Clarke-Jones and Mick Corbett.
More to come
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