Evan Geiselman just suffered a terrible wipeout at Pipeline. Photo: Matt Hoffman/Gnarbox
We just received word from Eric Tomlinson, friend of Evan Geiselman’s and surf team manager at Globe, that Geiselman is in stable condition.
Tomlinson wrote via email:
I just wanted to send over a quick update on Evan. We are sitting in the 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.”
More updates to come as information becomes available. Footage of the wave and rescue can be seen below:
