But the 24-year-old from Lochview, Crocketford, says the freak accident which left him unconscious in the water has not put him off the relatively new sport.
Speaking after he was knocked unconscious in an accident at the Scottish Boat Show at Inverkip on Saturday, Sonnie said: “I can remember going down but after I hit the water I was unconscious and and I can’t really remember much until I was in the hospital.
“It was about 20 minutes before I was brought out of the water by the Coastguards and other rescuers.”
Sonnie, who has competed in world-class events for the past few years, suffered neck and shoulder injuries, was bruised all over and left almost completely deaf after hitting the water from about 25-30 feet.
He said: “I am improving a bit now but there was blood coming out of my ears and I think if I’d had my helmet on, as I normally do, I wouldn’t have survived.
“I was deaf in both ears but I can now hear a little in one although I’m still deaf in the other.”
Explaining what happened, he added: “I wasn’t trying to do anything spectacular, I was just doing a flip.
“I can remember going down after I lost power but everyone did a great job. This whole thing hasn’t put me off.
“Luckily it’s the end of the season although I had one performance to do around the festive period but I don’t think I’ll manage it.”
Sonnie, who is the European champion in the sport, said: “I hope to be back out next year.”
The sportsman left hospital on Tuesday and is now recovering in Glasgow.
He said: “I’m staying here near the hospital just in case there are any complications.”
