Kai Lenny Suffers Concussion, Starts Surfing Switch Stance (Video)

Remember Unbreakable? The M. Night Shyamalan joint with Bruce Willis?

In the film, Willis survives a train crash, then finds he has superhuman abilities, like bench-pressing 350. Anyway, a lot of other stuff happens but it’s based on the premise of “acquired savant syndrome,” which is a very real, very strange phenomenon.

Something traumatic happens, then boom, the person has new abilities.

Kai Lenny probably does not have acquired savant syndrome. However, following a concussion at Pipeline, Kai is trying new-ish things in the water, like surfing switch.

According to the Brain Injury Law Center, “Acquired savant syndrome is the presentation of (often extraordinary) scholarly skills that can emerge after a non-disabled individual suffers a traumatic brain injury or illness.”

This season on the North Shore of Oahu, a slew of pro surfers have suffered head injuries at Pipeline. Brazilian championship Tour surfer Joao Chianca was knocked out and withdrew from the Pipe Pro; Tahitian tube hound Eimeo Czermak was sent to the hospital and slammed with a hefty bill; North Shore native Koa Rothman nearly drowned.

The rash of injuries has reignited the helmet debate – to wear or not to wear? Expect to see a lot more covered craniums in the lineup for the remainder of the season.

Kai, after the wipeout at Pipeline, wrote:

“First time wearing a helmet at Pipeline and it may have saved my life. I don’t remember much except that it was during my heat in the #DaHuiBackdoorShootout and the lifeguards sat me down in a chair at the Beach Park. I have a solid concussion and some bleeding out of my left ear. All should be fine, just need some time.”

Now, after some downtime, he’s surfing switch.

Coincidence?

Stay tuned; there might be a real-life Unbreakable scenario unfolding.

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