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| Pat Caldwell at Sandy Beach. Photo: Conrad Morgan |
It's been less than two weeks since bodyboarding legend, and creator of the el rollo, Pat Caldwell was injured at Sandy Beach. While helping Conrad Morgan with a high school water photography project, Pat suffered a bad wipeout. As he described it in a Surfer Today article, Pat said, "The lip landed on open, dry sand. Detonation sent me flying and landing on my back shoulder area violently. I felt a couple of cracks and instantly couldn't breathe." The lifeguards assisted Pat by providing oxygen on the beach until paramedics arrived. It was determined by doctors that the 55 year old bodyboarding icon had suffered a fractured right collarbone, three broken ribs, and pulled muscles. Fortunately, Pat will not require surgery, and is expected to make a full recovery.
In a conversation with JJ Caldwell, Pat's wife, she provided an update on his condition and progress. "He's working on his recovery every day. Today (January 16th) was the longest he was able to walk. Plus, he's doing a little physical therapy each day. Just need to get more calories in him as he's lost some weight. JJ then revealed a somewhat surprising revelation about Pat's future. "He's definitely going to retire from Sandy Beach shorebreak. It's jus too risky." Explaining that her husband has been riding waves at Sandy's since 1971, she remarked, "It's definitely been a hell of a ride for him at his home break. I don't know anybody his age that was still charging it. Not bad for a 55 year old." As for Pat's recovery timeline and getting back out in the water, "He probably won't get back out until mid-March. He still has to do physical therapy through the hospital and start swimming when he gets permission from the doctor."
Speedy recovery, Pat, and thank you for taking the time to give the update, JJ. Best wishes to both of you!
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