Jamie Mitchell Injured on North Shore Opening Swell — Instagram Photos Show Significant Facial Wounds

Jamie Mitchell — Australian big-wave rider and North Shore regular — posted graphic photos early October after a wipeout during the season’s first swell. The images, shared on his Instagram, show deep lacerations to his face and throat; in the caption he lists the immediate medical care he received.

What we know

• The incident took place on the North Shore during the opening swell of the season (early October 2025), according to Mitchell’s posts and contemporaneous social traffic from the beach.
• Mitchell says he required 18 staples and additional sutures: he reports 15 stitches to his throat and five stitches to his cheek/cheekbone area. These injury details come from his Instagram post and photos.
• He also states the board involved was a 9’10”, a size commonly used in big-wave work on the Shore.

Jamie posted photos of his wounds and a note about the treatment on his Instagram feed:

Context and immediate reaction

Mitchell is a veteran big-wave surfer, known for his work on the North Shore and for riding heavy surf. The opening swell of the season brings busy lineups and heavy faces — conditions where long, heavy boards and high speeds increase the chance of traumatic contact between rider and board.

Nearby surfers and watermen in the same timeframe, including posts from other North Shore locals show the swell was firing across the usual spots. John John Florence was also posting from Pipeline that week, giving a sense of the same regional conditions.

John John Florence posting from Pipeline (context for the swell):

Credit: John John Florence / Instagram

Mitchell has also been active promoting his new project, the Living in Liquid podcast, which had Ross Clarke-Jones as an early guest. The podcast’s social account has been part of Mitchell’s recent online activity.

Living in Liquid podcast account:

Credit: Living in Liquid / Apple podcasts

The injuries — what they mean

The images and Mitchell’s account point to multiple facial and throat lacerations. Longboards and “guns” used for big waves pack mass and momentum: when a board impacts a rider it can produce deep cuts or blunt trauma. That aligns with the staples and sutures Mitchell reported.

We’re not naming the treating facility or quoting a medical report, Mitchell’s Instagram is the primary source for the injury description. He has has published an update on his account recently.

Safety and takeaways for surfers

• Big-wave boards are heavy, keep distance in crowded lineups and consider leash setups and protective gear where appropriate.
• If you’re paddling into or near heavy surf, surf with watermen you trust and a clear plan for rescue/aid; rapid on-site assistance matters.
• Documenting incidents on social media helps the community understand risks, but official medical details often lag behind the initial posts.

What’s next

Mitchell’s post indicates he’s getting care. There’s no public, detailed timeline for his return to surf but he hopes to get back in the water in a just a few weeks! We’ll follow his social posts and any statements from his team or local authorities and update the story.

If you witnessed the event or have first-hand photos/video that would help clarify the sequence, send them to the Steepline News tips line, but please avoid sharing graphic images without consent.