Garrett Describes Teahupoo Wipeout
Posted on April 18, 2008 - Filed Under Interviews
Garrett describes his Teahupoo wipeout behind Ramaiina in this featured in this years Billabong XXL Awards:
“Surfing is so personal: 1 man 1 wave, especially when it is big life and death!!! Being able to share a monster with a friend is very special. The view of Raimana was incredible, words can not describe it. As I went for the wave I thought, OK, I have been out here for a while now, rode two junk waves, broke my board and now I am finally going to get a good wave. Then I saw Laird and Raimana tracking it in front of us I thought Raimana has had a million good waves out here he will let me go, and even if he goes I am going, I don’t mind riding behind people there because there is so much room in those barrels.
As I let go of the rope and dropped down the wave, Coby, who was towing me in, barely got out. He explained to me later, that Raimana was right where he needed to be to get out. So he did his best to get out and not hit Raimana. This caused the ski to spray a fire hose like blast into my eyes. I was thinking, “oh no where do I go”. As I got the bottom I could finally see again and picked my line full speed ahead. I saw Raimana and thought to myself “all right I am finally where I always wanted to be, where I imagine being.”
Then the wake from their ski and Raimanas track combined caused a white wash foam ball that engulfed me and I thought “oh I’m done but kept driving”. To my surprise I got through it, and my eyes cleared again, and there was Raimana. I was like “yeah, I am making it, come on come on!” as a monster wave from the exploding lip came backwards and took me out. I could no longer see Raimana and went for the ride after the ride praying the whole time, “please god help me!!!” Sure enough I got hit by 10 waves on the head, and finally here comes Coby. I was so amped, so stoked I got on the ski and yelled “yeah Coby that is what I live for, I feel alive!!!” He looked at me like, “this guy is nuts!!!”