VIDEO: Pipeline Wipeout Sends Hawaiian Surf Royalty Headfirst into Reef

When it comes to modern era, and hardcore Hawaiian chargers in heavy surf, North Shore local Koa Rothman is up there with the best of ‘em.

But Pipeline doesn’t discriminate. A lot of times, no matter your experience level or familial surfing royalty status, Pipeline shows no mercy.

Hence below, a wipeout that led to Rothman being sidelined with an undisclosed injury.

The drone footage shows: Rothman scraping into extra steep first reef Pipe bomb; a late takeoff into the flats; then a nosedive sending Rothman over the handlebars and potentially headfirst into the reef.

Not good. Not good at all.

Following the wipeout, and still as-of-yet identified injury as a result, Rothman posted this update:

"Just wanted to update everyone, I’m doing really good! Thank you for all the love and support! And a huge thank you to @casualluke (and I’m not too sure the other person on the jetski) and the @northshorelifeguardassociation for saving me and everyone else who was involved?? Sorry I haven’t gotten back to everyone, the doctor said I shouldn’t be on my phone for a couple days so I’m just laying low for now, but just know I feel the love! I’ll be back very soon ????"

Again, vague, although good to hear he's healing up.

The photo, showing him holding an icepack to his face, suggests collision with the reef...no?

It’s been a brutal winter season so far on Oahu’s North Shore.

Just a few weeks back, Tahitian surf royalty Eimeo Czermak was hospitalized following wipeout while surfing a heat in the Vans Pipe Masters.

“This was probably one of the hardest and scariest moment of my life," Eimeo wrote after the injury.

It's only Christmas; the new year is around the corner, a MASSIVE swell is on the way...

More carnage to come?

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