When it comes to modern era, and hardcore Hawaiian chargers in heavy surf, North Shore local Koa Rothman is up there with the best of ‘em.
But Pipeline doesn’t discriminate. A lot of times, no matter your experience level or familial surfing royalty status, Pipeline shows no mercy.
Hence below, a wipeout that led to Rothman being sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
The drone footage shows: Rothman scraping into extra steep first reef Pipe bomb; a late takeoff into the flats; then a nosedive sending Rothman over the handlebars and potentially headfirst into the reef.
Not good. Not good at all.
Following the wipeout, and still as-of-yet identified injury as a result, Rothman posted this update:
“Just wanted to update everyone, I’m doing really good! Thank you for all the love and support! And a huge thank you to @casualluke (and I’m not too sure the other person on the jetski) and the @northshorelifeguardassociation for saving me and everyone else who was involved❤️ Sorry I haven’t gotten back to everyone, the doctor said I shouldn’t be on my phone for a couple days so I’m just laying low for now, but just know I feel the love! I’ll be back very soon 💪🏾”
Again, vague, although good to hear he’s healing up.
The photo, showing him holding an icepack to his face, suggests collision with the reef…no?
It’s been a brutal winter season so far on Oahu’s North Shore.
Just a few weeks back, Tahitian surf royalty Eimeo Czermak was hospitalized following wipeout while surfing a heat in the Vans Pipe Masters.
“This was probably one of the hardest and scariest moment of my life,” Eimeo wrote after the injury.
It’s only Christmas; the new year is around the corner, a MASSIVE swell is on the way…
More carnage to come?
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