Pipeline Wipeout Almost Kills Kai Lenny, Says Helmet ‘May Have Saved My Life’

Kai Lenny is on the mend.

The Maui multihyphenate – big-wave surfer, foil lord, standup paddleboarder, prone paddleboarder, the list goes on – suffered a wipeout in the SUP division of the 2024 Da Hui Backdoor Shootout, which at first, seemed totally minor. Routine, even.

But it wasn’t minor. Lenny was hurt, concussed, in need of medical attention.

Following the incident, from a hospital bed with his cracked helmet in hand, Lenny posted the following update to social media:

“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.”

In recent years, head injuries and helmets have emerged as a serious issue amongst surfing’s elite big-wave chargers, pro surfers in heavy conditions, all the way down to average joes. Numerous high-profile surfers, mostly of the big-wave persuasion, have endured traumatic brain injuries and subsequently become advocates for helmets.

Could Kai’s recent close call bolster the current helmet crusade?

Couldn’t hurt.

After all, Kai has surfed some of the heaviest waves in the world and, as a result, suffered some of the heaviest wipeouts of any human on earth. And the wave he actually hurt himself on at Pipe? Absolutely inconsequential in comparison.

Just goes to show – could happen to anyone at any time.

Even Kai Lenny at pedestrian Pipeline.

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