When a multi-title free surfer hits the sand at full speed, the entire Landes community holds its breath. On January 14, 2025, Vincent Duvignac suffered cervical fractures on a sandbank north of Vielle-Saint-Girons. Very quickly, his life was said to be at risk. A year and a half later, he is paddling back out off Hossegor, helmet on his head and a new approach in hand: the search for a new identity as a surfer is underway.
Cervical injury: the wipeout that changed everything
Icy session, 4-foot waves, 41°F water: nothing extreme for “Duvi.” In a tight barrel, his head hits the bottom. No loss of consciousness, but a double C1-C2 fracture. Doctors say he narrowly avoided quadriplegia; the Landes native is already talking about resilience.
A quick timeline of rehabilitation
A heavy neck brace, three months of immobilization, a necessary stay at the CERS in Capbreton: each stage becomes a personal challenge. Physical therapy alternates mobility work with relearning the duck dive. Between sessions, the surfer checks conditions on webcams, keeping his mind fixed on the lineup.
High-performance rehabilitation: from neck brace to first takeoffs
Getting back to surfing after a cervical injury requires method and discipline. Here is the protocol adopted by Vincent’s multidisciplinary care team:
- Bone stabilization : a custom-molded neck brace for 12 weeks.
- Isometric strengthening focused on the neck and shoulders.
- Low-impact cardio : paddling on an ergometer before returning to the pool.
- Controlled immersion : progressive sessions in flat water, then whitewater, then small swell.
- Video analysis to correct neck alignment during bottom turns.
A new surfer identity: gear, safety, and a new view of the lineup
The Mimizan rider no longer charges a slab without thinking about how he turns his head. Board, helmet, yoga routine: everything has changed. The table below summarizes the before and after.
| Element | Before the accident | After the accident |
|---|---|---|
| Main board | 5’10 round pin 28 L | 6’0 swallow 31 L for easy paddling |
| Protection | None | Lightweight helmet + impact vest |
| Warm-up | 10 min of quick stretches | 30 min of flow inspired by yoga-surf |
| Wave reading | Maximum risk-taking | Prioritizing an approach angle that protects the neck |
To choose his new boards, he relies on the quiver detailed by Hossegor’s gear specialists. The helmet became essential from his first drop-ins in the Landes shorebreaks.
“Out of Line”: the film documenting Landes resilience
Director Pierre Fréchou captures Vincent’s rehabilitation over 37 minutes. Onboard footage from the first whitewater waves, post-session reflections, trips to the physiotherapist: the documentary brings together everything that echoes pure passion. Its release at the latest Quiksilver Festival in Capbreton sparked a standing ovation from the local crew.
What the Landes lineup takes away
1. A helmet doesn’t take away from style when the carving remains precise. 2. Weakened cervical vertebrae don’t prevent you from throwing a tight cutback. 3. The community, from shaper to casual beachgoer, plays a key role in recovery.
Why does Vincent Duvignac now wear a helmet?
After the C1-C2 fracture, head protection reduces the risk of direct impact and serves as a constant reminder of the fragility of the cervical area.
What exercises help maintain neck mobility?
Slow rotations, trapezius stretches, and isometric exercises using elastic resistance are part of his daily routine.
Is the documentary “Out of Line” available online?
A short version can be viewed on Oxbow’s YouTube channel, while the full version is screening at festivals before a VOD release planned for late 2026.
Can you attend a training camp with Vincent after his accident?
Yes; he leads clinics in Mimizan, where safety, spot selection, and body awareness are central.