A high profile waterski champ has had to be urgently airlifted from Grafton Hospital to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, following a shocking accident at the Australian Championships on Clarence River, NSW.

The skier was leading his event when he hit debris floating in the water and came off his ski at around 180 kilometres per hour, seriously injuring himself.

Rescue Crewman Ryan Purchase says the 30 year old man from Mt Sheridan in Far North Queensland was in a serious condition when the RACQ CareFlight chopper landed at Grafton Hospital.

"He had a severe compound fracture to his left hand that will require surgery, and he also has some spinal fractures that will need to be assessed by the specialists at the PA," he said.

For more information, please call Brooke Chapman 0423 563 862.