Day one being 40 I was sick as a dog in Europe, sitting around in the rather warm temperatures for a European winter but the year of being 40 just started off bad. The next week back in Hawaii, we were experiencing the best swells I have ever seen from a Hawaiian winter. I was out tow surfing with Jason Polokow and he towed me into this perfect 30 foot face right in the sweet spot. He is one of the best I know at putting you in the absolute best spot on a big wave and I trust him with my life, I know, scary thought! I let go of the rope and got instantly barrelled by the biggest wave I have ever been inside. I am going going going and then I come to my senses and let my fear get a hold of me and get scared and try to pull out of the barrel of this 30 footer. As I carve out of the barrel, the lip, of the wave comes crashing down on me sending me spinning in all sorts of circles and blowing out my eardrum. It was not a good feeling. From then on I was just annoyed with not being able to hear properly for 2 months trying to take it easy, getting as many ear plugs as I could to keep going in the water. After a couple of doctors and some time off the water it began to heal. I could feel my age.