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Brazilian surfer Rafael Kroeff, 38, was out towing Jaws on the legendary January 16 swell when things went sideways. After letting go of the rope and realizing he was in an unfortunate position, Kroeff paddled his tow board over one wave but could not escape the second which also featured a windsurfer barreling down the line.
Of all the dirty luck.
A windsurfer?
Of all the dirty, rotten luck.
Kroeff did not panic though and worked the problem “I decided to hold my board to protect the windsurfer, I was worried that my board might hit him.” he said, selflessly. “I’ve been working with breathing for over 20 years using yoga and functional training to train surfers. I created my own training program five years ago mixing all that with the foundation on mindfulness of breathing.”
As dirty, rotten luck would have it, the wave pushed him down, down, down but thankfully he had those breathing protocols.
“I used a manoeuvre we use to close the glottis so you don’t drink water and sink, I was aware of everything and never lost my consciousness.” he said. “I felt the pressure on my ears because I was super deep but super quickly, I had equalized my ears. I was very focused on being calm but it was the longest ever time underwater for me.”
After being under for over a minute, he resurfaced and was snatched up by many skis, giving him time to assess the damage.”My neck got stiff and my throat was kind of blocked for 24hours, but I’m 100% now. I never took medicine or went to the hospital, got back home to Oahu and went straight to my ice bath, and after that I was 80%.”
Very fine and do you think the Rafael Kroeff School of Mindfulness and Breath Control will have very long waitlist?
I know I’m on it and I recommend the same for you.
4 – 6 ft Cardiff Reef will cease to stalk my nightmares.
Watch both Kroeff and the windsurfer get pounded here.
