A full month after a ghastly wipeout at Backdoor Pipeline

“It’s hard to even start this and put it all into words,” he wrote. “Let me start by expressing my deepest gratitude and thanks to Keoki Saguibo, Jimmy Ulualoha Napeahi, Mikey O’Shaughnessy, Tai Vandyke, and the North Shore Lifeguard Association for saving my life. Without these God sent angels, I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this today. I am overwhelmed, humbled and so grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, support, cards, and messages that have been sent from all over the world. All of the positive support has helped me get better every day... I’m so grateful to be alive and finally back home on Maui to continue my healing and start rehabbing…”“This has been a surreal and life-altering experience for me,” he continued. “I don’t remember the day of the accident or really any of the two and a half weeks in ICU. My head is still pretty scrambled, but I know I’m blessed to be here and just need time to heal. I know things could’ve turned out way different without the help that came to me as quickly as it did. I’m thankful for the ICU doctors and nurses at Queens and the surgeons who put me back together. Especially grateful for my family for being with me every step of the way.”“A lot of people have asked me how they can help, what they can do,” he finished. “My family and I have created a GoFundMe account, to which 100% of the proceeds will go directly to supporting the North Shore Lifeguard Association . More funds are needed for these guys to be able to offer more training in proper CPR, water extraction and first aid. These heroes put their lives at risk every day for the public’s safety, and unfortunately they don’t really get the support and recognition they deserve…”“Thank you again to everyone who played a role in saving my life. I can’t wait to get back in the water and back to doing what I love.”