It’s been a rough month for freesurfers and injuries. First, there was Nathan Florence’s Indonesian bloodbath, and now Koa Rothman is down for the count.
At an Australian break located in “the absolute middle of nowhere,” Koa and two others stand at the top of a bluff, overlooking the waves below. The conversation is one that many surfers have had before a session, but it turns out to be especially prophetic this time.
“There is a couple crazy ones out here, it’s just a little funky,” says Koa.
“If it looks warbly and wonky from up here, you know it’s gonna be like…” replies Billy Kemper.
The gang switched to another break as a result, but disaster still struck soon after. Thirty minutes into the session, Koa limps back on the sand. Moments before, while in the barrel, the foam ball hit Koa and smashed his foot into his board, bringing an abrupt end to not only the session, but the entire Australian trip.
Koa’s got a long flight, and possibly an even longer recovery, ahead of him.
