A novice surfer developed paraplegia within an hour of a lesson after experiencing a rare, non-traumatic spinal cord injury known as surfer’s myelopathy, his doctors have reported.

The man, in his late 30s, was lying prone on his board during his third lesson when he attempted to stand up, according to BMJ Case Reports.

As he extended his spine and rotated his torso to the left, he was hit by a wave and immediately felt a sharp pain in the upper lumbar region.

“He managed to complete the lesson,” wrote his doctors, from Hospital CUF Tejo in Lisbon, Portugal.