Words Mimi LaMontagne
Evan Geiselman was knocked unconscious at solid, terrifying Pipeline earlier today. He took off on a set wave, wiped out, hit his head on the reef and then had three set waves roll over him. South African professional bodyboarder Andre Botha saw his lifeless body floating in the water and rushed to rescue him, reportedly resuscitating him in the water. Mick Fanning was on the scene and helped pull him out of the water, and told Surfing Life via text that is was a “really heavy” experience, but understandably, didn’t want to talk about it until Evan is in the clear.
Ace Buchan was also on the scene, helping in the rescue. “Um, yeah, I was there,” he told Surfing Life. “So scary. I watched it happen and helped him get up the beach. I don’t really want to say too much because I’m not sure how he’s doing now. Hope he’s ok.”
Photo via The Inertia / Dashel Pierson
Since speaking to Ace, the story has developed. Jake Howard has given us the following information from the hospital waiting room:
Evan Geiselman is currently in stable condition after suffering a very serious wipeout at Pipeline today.
After being engulfed by a 15-foot double-up, Evan failed to come to the surface and subsequently suffered a three-wave hold down. South African bodyboarder Andre Botha eventually found him unconscious and began to attempt rescue breathing while swimming him to shore. In the heavy shorebreak they were met by lifeguards, as well as surfers Mick Fanning, Danny Fuller, Kalani Chapman, Brian Toth and a handful of others. After expelling copious amounts of water Evan regained consciousness. Paramedics continued to work on him in the beach park where he was eventually loaded up into an ambulance and taken to Queens Hospital.
Because of the heroic efforts of everyone that came to Evan’s aid he is expected to recover from this near tragedy.
“Thanks to everyone, especially Andre, he was truly Evan’s guardian angel,” says Eric Geiselman, “Everyone responded so heroically and our family cannot thank them enough. We also must remember that the conditions were serious and this is what Mother Nature can do. The surf community needs to remember to always take a minute to consider the consequences of every wave. Today we are very blessed to still have Evan with us.”
We will update you as soon as we know any more.