Broken handlebars

After reading about the broken center piece I decided to pop off the white plastic piece on mine a few weeks ago and take a look. Sure enough it was broken completely through from front to back right down the center. Since I found the break I started a warranty claim but have ridden it three times. My rides have been on the ocean going out to Martha's Vineyard and Block Island, all on pretty rough days. I weigh 240lbs and ride extremely aggressively with a lot of big jumps and it still hasn't broken. I'm sure it will break eventually with the way I ride but it's making me wonder if that thin center piece even does anything at all.

How long has it taken for others to get new handlebars in?