A former keen surfer is claiming up to £500,000 in damages from a luxury spa resort after suffering a neck injury on its FlowRider surf simulator, leaving him with chronic pain, reduced dexterity, and a fear of surfing. The resort admits failing to control access to the wave machine but disputes the severity of his injuries and compensation amount.
A surfer left with an 'acute fear of surfing' after smashing his head on a pool floor whilst trying out a luxury resort's wave machine is suing for £500,000.
Aidan Botha, of Porthleven, Helston, Cornwall, says he was injured while using a 'FlowRider' surf simulator at the Retallack spa resort with friends in July 2022. The 49-year-old, who was previously a keen surfer, hit his face and skull on the bottom of the pool after he collided with another rider.
Mr Botha claims he suffered a severe 'hyperextension' of his neck when his skull struck the floor at the luxury self-catering resort and spa near St Columb Major, resulting in a 'stinger'-type injury due to key nerves being stretched by the impact. He is now dogged by 'chronic burner syndrome' - a condition characterised by intense burning pain, numbness and tingling stemming down from the neck, which Mr Botha says has badly affected his manual dexterity in both hands.
Mr Botha is suing the spa's owners Away Resorts Ltd for up to £500,000 in damages, alleging negligence in failing to properly control the amount of people using the wave machine. Away Resorts has admitted breach of duty over the accident, but disputes the effects of the accident claimed by Mr Botha, as well as the level of compensation.
The FlowRider simulated surf wave allows users to experience a sensation similar to wave riding or snowboarding by producing a sheet of fast flowing water to create a static wave.
Aidan Botha, of Porthleven, Helston, Cornwall, is suing for £500,000 after developing a fear of surfing after becoming injured at the Retallack spa resort in July 2022 Mr Botha hit his face and skull on the bottom of the pool while using a 'FlowRider' surf simulator at the Retallack spa resort The FlowRider simulated surf wave allows users to experience a sensation similar to wave riding or snowboarding by producing a sheet of fast flowing water to create a static wave The Retallack Spa, a luxury lakeside resort where a self-catering waterside lodge with a hot tub costs up to £4,700 a week for a family of four, boasts the only FlowRider wave machine in Cornwall, according to its website.
The resort also offers spa treatments, watersports, an indoor pool, plus bars and dining options. The accident happened when Mr Botha collided with another surfer while using the 'wave facility', explained his barrister, Jeremy Warner, in court papers, adding that 'staff failed to control access to the artificial wave and permitted multiple users to enter simultaneously and/or in quick succession, contrary to safe practice'.
Immediately after striking his head, he saw a vivid white flash, felt pain in his right side and his right arm went numb for around 40 minutes, he continued. His burner syndrome symptoms were diagnosed later on, said Mr Warner, in the shape of numb fingertips in both hands, causing loss of dexterity and leaving him liable to drop everyday objects.
'He finds that working for long periods of time at the computer increases his symptoms of neck and right trapezius pain,' said his barrister. 'This limits his productivity and ability to maintain focus at work. Mr Botha also struggles to drive, developing pain in his arm after 30 minutes, and he suffers with disturbed sleep every night.
' If Mr Botha angles his neck to his right, he is stricken with 'shooting nerve pain' which can last for several days and the accident also left him with an 'acute fear of surfing,' he added. The case recently reached London's High Court in a pre-trial hearing as lawyers on both sides debated the shape of the evidence for the trial, with his barrister accepting there is a 'significant degree of complexity to his injuries'.
While accepting breach of duty, in its written defence the resort has insisted that 'it has no direct knowledge of how the accident occurred as none of its employees saw it occur'.
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