MAUI, Hawaii (KHON2) — The swell that brought up the notorious Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational on Oahu also brought major waves to Maui’s north shore, with one surfer surviving a gnarly wipeout.
Ty Simpson-Kane was surfing at Jaws when he was met with a super-sized wave before he was sent cartwheeling down the face of it.
During the time of the incident, Surfer Magazine said the wave heights at Jaws were popping between 60 to 70 feet.
The wipeout not only drew the attention of Maui Ocean Safety crews but also from spectators along the beach.
One spectator described the wipeout as “nasty” while Ty was buried under tons of water.
Emergency crews reacted quickly, hustling to grab him from the water before bringing him back to shore.
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Thankfully, he is alive. Simpson-Kane described the incident as one of the heaviest wipeouts he has ever experienced.