A group of surfers, lifeguards, and concerned individuals recently came together to assist American pro surfer Makai McNamara after he was knocked unconscious by a powerful wave at Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii, known for being one of the most perilous surf breaks in the world. According to reports, McNamara, a regular at Banzai Pipeline, was struck by the large wave this past Sunday. The group of responders played a crucial role in bringing McNamara to safety on the shore.
Professional surfer and friend of McNamara, Eli Olson, described the incident as a “freak accident.” He explained, “It was just a bad wave, kind of a freak accident, and he went head first into the reef.” Olson praised McNamara, stating he is “one of the best [surfers] out there.”
Olson estimated that McNamara was submerged for nearly two minutes before help arrived. He recounted the rescue efforts, mentioning that responders performed “CPR compressions” during the process. “He was underwater for close to two minutes before I got to him. First thing, I just wanted to keep his head above water so he didn’t take in more water,” Olson said. “I gave him a couple of breaths and tried to give him a few compressions.” He added, “We were getting hit by waves, getting recycled in the surf, but we managed to get him to safety and performed another round of CPR compressions, and he started coughing up water.”
McNamara eventually regained consciousness after being brought to the sand. He was subsequently taken to a local hospital, where medical staff placed him in an induced coma for three days.
Liam McNamara, Makai’s father, provided an update on his son’s condition 24 hours after the incident, stating, “It’s been 24 hours since the incident, and he’s on his road to recovery. He feels your energy, your love, and your positive vibes, and we appreciate each and every one of you for your support.” He expressed gratitude to the lifeguards and everyone involved in the rescue, saying, “Thank you so much for helping save my son. The next two days he’ll be here in the hospital, and we just need continued prayers and positive energy. Makai’s a strong young man, and he’s going to get through this.”
Olson emphasized the collaborative nature of the rescue, expressing hope for McNamara’s full recovery. “All that matters is that Makai makes a full recovery, and we can laugh and share waves with him soon,” he noted.
