Tuhiti Haumani is currently in critical condition at Straub Hospital after a wipeout knocked him unconscious on the North Shore. Photo: @tuhitihaumani
According to reports by KIT4, Tahitian surfer Tuhiti Haumani suffered a severe wipeout on the North Shore that knocked the 28-year-old Volcom team rider unconscious in the water around 2 PM HST. While it’s unclear due to conflicting reports whether Haumani fell at Pipeline or Ehukai Beach Park, the beach break directly next to Pipe, a group of surfers discovered his body at Ehukai and flagged the North Shore lifeguards. The watermen quickly brought him to shore in a jet ski amid strong currents.
According to reports, lifeguards administered CPR to Haumani on the sand, but he remained unconscious.
Just a few hours earlier, the beach at Pipeline roared to life to celebrate John John Florence’s victory at the Volcom Pipe Pro.
Emergency responders and friends told KITV that Haumani is in critical condition at Straub Hospital, where he was transferred after first receiving treatment at Wahiawa General.
Many of the world’s best Pipeline surfers shared supportive thoughts for Haumani via social media.
“Praying for @tuhitihaumani stay strong my friend!” wrote Jamie O’Brien on Instagram.
“We just want to thank everyone with their support and their prayers,” said Haumani’s girlfriend in a statement this evening.
Pipeline’s reputation as a dangerous wave precedes it. According to the Encyclopedia of Surfing, Pipeline is estimated to kill a surfer every other year.
Just a few days earlier, WQS surfer Leonardo Fioravanti broke his back at Pipeline, snapping two vertebrae and tearing two ligaments after falling directly onto the reef after a missed drop.
Tuhiti was reportedly an extra in Point Break’s recent filming at Teahupoo, and judging by the clip below of Teahupoo in 2010, he certainly knows how to carry himself in waves of consequence. Our thoughts are with Tuhiti and family. Stay tuned as more information becomes available.
