With the amount of injuries we’ve recently seen on the north shore of Oahu, pro surfing feels more dangerous than ever. Pipeline has been the epicenter for a string of injuries that includes Joao Chianca getting knocked out in early December, Eimeo Czermak getting sent to the hospital from the Vans Pipe Masters, Koa Rothman requiring 21 stitches after hitting his head, and Kai Lenny cracking a helmet at the Da Hui Backdoor Shootout. Eimeo’s injury was so dire that he was recently forced to turn to GoFundMe to try to pay for a $55,000 hospital bill.
However, that didn’t stop Nathan and John John Florence from paddling into some slabbing north shore surf that had them going through the wash cycle as often as riding in the barrel. Though they managed to emerge unscathed, thanks to some expert duck diving, there was no shortage of punishment at the hands of the left.
“Nearly blew my damn hip out. Getting tender in my old age,” said Nathan after the session. “There’s barrels to be had out there, for sure, but mostly beatdowns. The shoulders are burning.”
