FOR THE MOST RECENT NEWS AND UPDATES, PLEASE VISIT ROAD 2 RECOVERY
11.28.16: Road 2 Recovery posted the following statement:
"On Friday, November 25, 2016, professional wakeboard athlete, Ben Leclair was injured while practicing at a private wakeboard facility. A trick got away from him and he was rendered unconscious for a short time. Thankfully his friends acted swiftly and Ben was immediately transported to an Orlando area trauma center where he was admitted into surgery just a few short hours later.
Tomorrow morning Ben will undergo a second surgery to further stabilize his vertebrae and protect his spinal cord from any further damage. Doctors are reporting that there was a pinch around the C5 area of his spinal cord at the time of injury.
Spinal cord injuries affect every individual different. We know that Ben is an amazing athlete who understands his body better than most. He no doubt has a fight ahead of him but the support of his friends, family and Road 2 Recovery will give him every opportunity to recover.
While Ben?s insurance coverage is currently being investigated his expenses in the hospital continue to compound. At this time there is a plan to transport him back to Quebec after doctors can approve him for travel. Road 2 Recovery will be assisting the family in finding he best possible care for this injury.
Please continue to donate here and be sure to leave a positive comment for Ben to review. Also check out the fundraiser by UNIT Parktech where you can pick up #bensquad sticker packs. Unit Parktech will also donate 1 Euro on behalf of every order sticker pack sold."
UPDATE 11.28.16: Brad Smeele, who suffered a severe spinal injury in 2014, posted the following video on facebook:
If you would like to donate to Ben Leclair's Recovery, please DONATE HERE.
11.24.16: 23 year-old Canadian Benjamin Leclair suffered a serious injury to his spine while riding out at Kevin Henshaw's Area 52, a private two-tower cable park in Orlando, FL. Details are scarce as of now, but we do know that Leclair underwent surgery on his spine on Friday and that Kevin Henshaw is staying with him at the hospital along with the Leclair family and friends. The result of the surgery is unknown at this point.
Leclair gained notoriety within the wakeboard industry in 2014 winning Wake Award's 'Check Out' Award. He has since released many popular wakeboard edits as a member of the Slingshot Team and took 2nd place at this year's Wake of Steel competition. The entire wakeboard community is shaken by the news of this injury and our thoughts are with him and are hoping for the best possible outcome. We will share more details as they become available.