Former professional Nick Ormerod has been in pain every day since he broke his back and almost died while trying to catch a wave in 2017. / (min cost $ 0 ) or signup to continue reading But over the past few years, the South Coast teacher has come to see his life-changing accident as a blessing that's helped him eke out genuine joy. "Physically, I don't feel as good as I did before the accident," he said.
"I don't think I'll ever feel that good and I still have days where I kind of wish it didn't happen. I have felt pain every single day since I had the accident and I hope that does go away. "But more and more, I'm realising that - as crazy as it sounds, I would never have believed this a few years ago - I'm actually starting to see this as some sort of a positive.
" His horrific accident - where his spine bent backwards over a rock shelf after he was pushed underwater by a huge wave - as well as his recovery and more difficult psychological journey that came after is the subject of a new film being made in . The team of Illawarra filmmakers behind it are fundraising to to get the money to continue their project. They are hoping it will be picked up by a streaming service as a two-part special once finished.
The film came about after Woonona freelance filmmaker Brad Schmidt - who idolised Mr Ormerod growing up "as a young grommit" - introduced himself while surfing at Austinmer's Headlands surf break during COVID lockdowns. "I could tell looking in his eyes, he was still in a .
