Midway through his latest video, Koa Rothman’s day is just not going his way. “The best waves I’ve ever seen and I can’t even make a wave,” Rothman balefully tells the camera. “I don’t think I’ve been this frustrated ever.” Despite idyllic conditions, Koa found himself in too deep nearly every time.
Koa’s life often seems like the surfer’s fantasy made flesh. For one thing, he’s spent the last few weeks in Fiji. That alone is worthy of envy, but he’s also been a Cloudbreak regular lately, and he’s been ripping it up. So, every once in a while it’s nice to see him face the same challenges us mere mortals deal with on a daily basis.
It’s more than just schadenfreude, though. In the world of YouTube, one rarely sees an expression of anything other than vague enthusiasm. Seeing someone just having a rough day offers a rare moment of humanity in a medium that seems to only provide a constant stream of bland, positive platitudes.
Luckily for Koa, and us, the down moment doesn’t last too long. He gets back in for a second run at the break and finally got barreled. Sure, it’s nice to see pros have human moments, but not for too long.
