Kiwi Tradie Paralyzed Days Before Engagement Party

Surfing Accident Devastates Gold Coast Relocation Dream

A promising new life on Australia’s Gold Coast took a catastrophic turn for tradesman **Jonathan ‘Johnny’ Konings** when a surfing accident left him paralyzed just one day before he was due to fly home for his engagement party.

Freak Wipeout Changes Everything

The 32-year-old, who relocated from Hamilton, New Zealand, to Kirra, Queensland, in 2022 with his partner of seven years, **Charlie**, suffered a severe spinal cord injury at Duranbah beach on June 18 last year. The couple had sought a lifestyle of sunshine, beaches, and surfing.

Recounting the event to the Daily Mail, **Johnny** described the morning as routine. After a meeting with a client was rescheduled, he seized the opportunity to catch waves in ideal conditions. He had been surfing since he was 16, noting the day offered “pretty fun” waves.

However, on his very first ride, **Johnny** experienced a disastrous landing. He hit the ocean floor, hearing a distinct “clunk” as his body impacted a sandbar.

“It took a few moments for me to resurface. I was pretty winded, so I was concentrating on my breath, and then a few moments later, I realised that I couldn’t feel anything or move my legs.”

—Jonathan ‘Johnny’ Konings

Another surfer provided immediate aid, stabilizing **Johnny** with surfboards before alerting help on shore. **Johnny** was struggling to breathe, suffering from a punctured lung and three fractured ribs. He endured a 45-minute wait for a lifeguard on a jet ski before being airlifted to Brisbane, the only facility in Queensland with a specialized spinal rehabilitation ward.

“All I could think was Charlie, as we were meant to fly to New Zealand the next morning for our engagement party.”

—Jonathan ‘Johnny’ Konings

Life-Altering Diagnosis and Financial Strain

Medical scans revealed a burst fracture of his vertebra and a dislocation, with the spinal cord damage classified as ASIA A—the most severe form of paralysis. Despite immediate surgery, doctors informed **Johnny** he would likely never walk again.

“Those were some of the darkest days of my life, and our life, to be honest. There is so much grief that comes with not being able to use your legs. It’s like a whole version of yourself that dies.”

—Jonathan ‘Johnny’ Konings

The accident has rendered **Johnny** unable to work. While many spinal cord injury patients in Australia can access support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), **Johnny** and **Charlie** do not yet qualify due to insufficient residency for citizenship. This means they are forced to privately fund his extensive medical needs, specialist therapy, equipment, and daily care, in addition to living expenses.

**Charlie** has become **Johnny’s** full-time carer, while also working to support them both. The cost of necessary medical supplies, such as catheters, can exceed $21,800 annually, according to reports.

Hope for the Future Amidst Challenges

The couple, who aspire to have children in the future, are now turning to community support to help them rebuild their lives. Medical advice indicates they should begin IVF treatment as soon as possible, adding another significant financial burden to their situation.

The financial strain for individuals with severe spinal cord injuries is substantial; for example, ongoing care and equipment costs can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, as highlighted by rehabilitation research foundations (e.g., Spinal Research UK reports similar challenges).

“I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”

—Jonathan ‘Johnny’ Konings