Busted neck. Saved by pals!
Kepa Acero almost died on Monday. The Basque-country native and jovial globetrotter took an exquisite tumble at his home break of Mundaka, breaking his neck and temporarily losing the ability to move his arms and legs. He was saved from drowning by some of his close friends. Below is a translation of his Instagram post on the matter.
I can only start this post by thanking everyone that has been by my side in these past couple days. It’s been a really hard time for me and those close to me. I would especially like to thank Lander and Iñigo who saved my life at Mundaka. I will be forever grateful.
The second of January, at midday, I had a near-fatal fall at Mundaka. I fell and hit my head against the bottom, and at that moment I lost consciousness. The only instant that I can remember was under water – wanting to break the surface, but my hands and legs wouldn’t obey commands.
At that moment I thought I would never come up.
I don’t remember anything else. I then found out that Lander and Iñigo put me on their boards and took me out of the impact zone. I even lost vision.
My friends <3 @natxogonzalez1 @nando_arostegi @eukenimasa and @aletxugironi got me out of the water, and after hours of agony I got to the hospital. They told me that I had broken my neck, broken and displaced my cervical, and broken a dorsal. Miraculously the spinal cord was not damaged so I can be thankful for feeling and being able to move my body, legs and arms. I have the sensation of being born twice in the same day. My thanks go to everyone that has kept me company, to those who rescued me, doctors, all the ones who have cheered me on, to fate and to life – especially to life.
Thank you again, and now more than ever I am going to enjoy life. Devour it, ‘cause it’s ours.
I get surgery on Wednesday.
A big hug to all <3<3<3<3
Scary moments for Spain’s second biggest tube-hound. We wish Kepa the best through his surgery and road to (hopefully a full) recovery. Left hand points wouldn’t be the same without him.
Oh and just for kicks, here’s a little edit of the swell that almost nipped him. Kepa is the primary slider!
Commented on Disqus? Log out, tap the Disqus button, and your old name and comments come back. The box is ours.
Your comments are still here. Every one of them.
Twelve years of BeachGrit comments came across from Disqus. Connect and we will show you how many are yours. We get your username, nothing else.
Connect Disqus to reveal.
This dudes surfing and adventures stoke me out. His brand of “pro surfer” is cool in a mellow and intellectual way. Take note socal spoiled bitches.
And the 2017 Surfer Poll Award for lamest claim goes to…Zuka.
That is a wave garden
he’s got a funny hair line.
Wishing you a speedy recovery legend!
Why do people wish people well etc where they will never read such remarks? Acero doesn’t read BG. Save the tongue work for me
#hatetoburstthebubblebutititisavoidbecauseacerodoesntreadbeachgrit
Two reasons. First, you never know if he reads the site, so why not. Second, because it makes people feel good to wish others well, whether or not the intended recipient ever receives the message – sort of a selfish thing.
Oooh i am all for selfish! Get well soon acero!
Is it me or does this sport have to many legends? It had to be one of Acero’s first solo videos back in 2011. He finds a left hander deep in South America maybe close to Cape Horn. His stoke was so sincere it gave me tears of joy!
Never too many legends! And yes, that video got me peepers a bit misty as well!
Being a legend in my own mind their is not much room for any more… besides my Dr. said I should be more self absorbed. He prescribed surfing and BG.
Hahaha me either! They do call me “Neal Tha Real Deal” though. They being me.
Do you oversee Acero’s internet use? And it’s called positivity…I think the kids nowadays call it “sending it”. I won’t use that lame phrase but I encourage you to take a dig at the positivity thing. It feels goooood like Mr. Fan alluded to.