Thursday, December 1, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Jeremy Lusk: Taken to Soon
Jeremy Lusk was born to be a extreme sport athlete. Riding motocycles since he was three, he turned pro at age 19, quickly taking notice and earning the nickname "Pitbull" for his tenacious attitude. By the age of 24, he had won gold and silver medals at the 2008 X games and a bronze helmet in the 2008 Moto X World Championships. He also placed third in the Red Bull X Fighters, third in the 2008 Moto X World Championships Moto X Freestyle.
Tragically his life ended on Febuaray 9th, 2009 while attemting to prefrom the stunt "Hart Attack Indian Air Backflip" in San Jose, Costa Rica. Lusk successfully completed the initial leg of the trick but was unable to control his landing after taking off from a smaller ramp for the second part of the dangerous stunt. The bike pitched forward and he landed head first. His full-faced helmet was sheared on impact; it stopped his head from sliding forward with the momentum and his body flipped over. At the scene, he never regained conscienous. He died the next day from his injuries with his parents and his wife by his side.
The Crash
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyEVgQCVjmc&feature=player_detailpage
He was a life taken too soon, but he died doing what he loved the most. He will be missed by those who loved him and by those who love and follow his sport.
Tribute Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XrhsG-Qfbw&feature=player_detailpage
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Outrageous Extreme sports Injuries...Some Fatal
Jake Brown Falls 50 Feet at the X Games
Danny Way Breaks ankle, hurts shoulder and injures spine
X Games Accidents
The Death of Jeremy Lusks
T.J. Lavin meets the ultimate challenge... Rebuilding his life
Thomas Joseph Lavin (born December 7, 1976) better known as T. J. Lavin is an American BMX rider, professional musician, and host of MTV's The Real World/Road Rules Challenge. T.J has been riding bikes since he was two years old and has continued to dominant almost every BMX competition he has competed in with his incredible dirt jumping skills,he is also know as the "King of Dirt," and in the X-Games he took bronze three times, silver once, and gold three times. On October 14, 2010 T.J. took on a challenge even himself could not win, he was competing in the Dew Tour Date in Las Vegas when he attempting a mid-air combination trick called a nac nac that landed him in a critical condition comatose state for eight days at the orders of his doctors to keep his brain swelling down. The crash shattered his wrist, broke his orbital bone and left him with critical head trauma. It was only a day before that T.J. witnessed friend and fellow BMX competitor Ty Pinney over jump a dirt mound, crash and landed himself in a coma in critical condition at the same hospital Lavin would be in. "It was one of the worst crashes I've ever seen and that was my last memory of October." - Says Lavin. Little did he know he would be laying in a hospital bed not too far from Pinney's the next day.
After Lavins's month long hospital stay and intensive physical therapy, he has nearly recovered, the doctors say it can take up to eighteen months to fully get back to his previous physical condition. The October 14 jump that nearly ended his life was his last jump, atleast on a bike anyways, Lavin is now involved with off track short truck racing. "People might think I'm crazy but my whole life has been to soldier on. If there's a challenge in front of me, I've just got to dig deep and buck up," Lavin. He also states that the safest place to be is inside of those trucks. Even though he continues to pursue his career in Extreme sports there is no doubt that he hasn't learned a valuable lesson. Lavin gives inspiration by not giving up on his dreams, but by showing us how he has learned to follow his dreams in a slightly safer, more confined way. T.J. also has resumed his spot as MTV's The Challenge host.
Video of T.J.'s crash
Zednik's Neck
In a game between Florida Panthers and the Buffalo Sabres on February 10, 2008, a fellow Florida teammate tripped and his skate cut Richard Zednik's external carotid artery. He immediately skated back to his teams bench side leaving a massive trail of blood. There, they stabilized before he was sent to the Buffalo hospital.
He was rushed to the Buffalo hospital where doctors immediately began surgery on Zednik. By February 11th he was stable, but was ordered to be sidelined for the remainder of the 07-08 NHL season. He was released from the hospital on the 16th and he did indeed miss the rest of that season. After witnessing the incident himself, he decided to wear a neck guard whenever he plays. Though he missed the 07-08 season, he made his return in the next.
Even though he could lose his life he continues pursuing his hockey career, thought currently he is not under any contract.
He was rushed to the Buffalo hospital where doctors immediately began surgery on Zednik. By February 11th he was stable, but was ordered to be sidelined for the remainder of the 07-08 NHL season. He was released from the hospital on the 16th and he did indeed miss the rest of that season. After witnessing the incident himself, he decided to wear a neck guard whenever he plays. Though he missed the 07-08 season, he made his return in the next.
Even though he could lose his life he continues pursuing his hockey career, thought currently he is not under any contract.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Best friend, guardian angel, soul sisters
All of these titles are in reference to professional surfer, Alana Blanchard. Alana has been Bethany Hamilton's best friend since they were 7 years old. They began surfing together in Hanalei where they live. At the time, they were two of the only girls their age and in their school that surfed. Eventually they both got home schooled so they could catch waves at prime surf hours. Both girls had been competing in contests since they were 8.
At age 13, Alana and Bethany shared a life changing experience. Bethany accompanied Alana's family on a surf excursion to Tunnels. The waves were inconsistent that day so while they relaxed on their boards it came as a total shock when Alana witnessed a tiger shark take her best friends arm.
About a 20 minute paddle from the beach, they rushed in as fast as they could. Alana's brother went ahead to call 911, her father used a rash guard to tie off Bethany's arm. No one knew where the shark was or if it would come after them again during the paddle back. Alana and her father had to keep Bethany awake and on her board and pushed her into the waves.
Once they got to shore Alana helped her father use a surf leash as a tourniquet for what was left of her best friend's arm. Alana has said in past interviews that she was completely devastated and thought for sure she had lost her surf buddy. Even if she lived she never thought Bethany would surf again.
Emotionally scarred, Alana endured sleepless nights, multiple nightmares when she could sleep, and endless amounts of tears. Her first time back in the water was with her father and she said she saw a few dolphins and thought they were sharks.
Alana pushed Bethany and Bethany pushed Alana. Three weeks after the attack Alana headed out into the water with Bethany on her first surf back. Both Alana and Bethany surf for the same Rip Curl team as well as both being sponsored by Sticky Bumps. Alana is on the ASP World Tour and currently ranked 15th best surfer in the world in the women's division.
They are still best friends to this day and they know they will always have each other. Alana is grateful that not only did her best friend survive the attack, but she still has her surf buddy also. Bethany is grateful that Alana was there to help save her life.
Alana surfing today
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Shark attack survivor braves the waves
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| Bethany Hamilton, age 13 |
In 2003 on Halloween Day Bethany Hamilton, age 13, went surfing at Tunnels with her best friend Alana Blanchard and Alana's brother Byron and father Holt. About 30 minutes into their surf session, while lying on her surfboard, a 14 foot tiger shark came and bit off Bethany's left arm.
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| The shark that attacked Bethany |
Byron went ahead and called 911 while Holt and Alana brought Bethany to shore. They used a surf leash as a tourniquet which paramedics say ultimately saved her life. Bethany lost 60% of her blood and spent 1 week in the hospital.
With a promising future of becoming a pro surfer this was a devastation to all involved. Three weeks later Bethany went back to the waves with bandages still on what was left of her arm with best friend Alana in tow. She struggled at first but got up on her third wave. |
| Bethany and Alana; first surf |
From that point on Bethany trained very hard to not let her injuries get in the way of her dreams. She has a special handle built into her board to help her duck dive under large waves. She had to relearn her surfing techniques and readjust her balance. Just 19 months after the attack Bethany took first place in the NSSA National Surfing Championship. Both her and Alana ride professionally for Rip Curl and Sticky Bumps. Bethany is considered one of the best female surfers in the world.
In addition to making her surfing dreams come true, Bethany has taken part in other businesses to help share her story with others. A documentary titled Heart of a Soul Surfer, featuring Bethany, her family, Alana, Holt, and other up and coming surfers was created as well as the autobiography she wrote. Just last spring her story hit the big screen with the movie Soul Surfer starring AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quad, and Lorraine Nicholson.
Heart of a Soul Surfer Documentary trailer
Against all
Accidents are always around the corner. Some accidents we can easily get over, yet others permanently alter our lives. You never know when it's going to happen. An accident can happen in the on the road, on the sidewalk, in your room, on a field, and everywhere else. The accidents can result in small hindrances or life shattering changes. People have been cut, lost body parts, and have even died. Though we face these challenges everyday there are those who press on even after going through a life alteration due to an accident. This is what our page is about, those who didn't cry over spilled milk and made lemonade when life gave them lemons. The athletes we write about prove that over coming the odds is indeed possible with enough dedication.
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