Family Thanks South African Hero for Saving Surfer’s Life
The family of the American surfer, who was rescued by South African bodyboarder Andre Botha on Sunday at Pipeline in Hawaii, have reached out to thank him for his heroic efforts. Evan Geiselman’s brother Eric wrote a message on Instagram saying it had been “such a scary scary day” and “I can not thank @andre_botha_662 enough […]
The family of the American surfer, who was rescued by South African bodyboarder Andre Botha on Sunday at Pipeline in Hawaii, have reached out to thank him for his heroic efforts.
Evan Geiselman’s brother Eric wrote a message on Instagram saying it had been “such a scary scary day” and “I can not thank @andre_botha_662 enough for being there and rescuing my brother! Our entire family can not thank you enough brother!”
Andre said the most important thing is that Evan is “doing well and throwing a Shaka [referring to the photo – see below]…and is going to be 100’s.”
After Evan was knocked unconscious by huge surf in Hawaii, Andre was hailed as a hero around the world as a video went viral showing the South African attempting to resuscitate and swim with Evan’s lifeless body back to shore.
Andre wrote on Instagram: “It’s a bit overwhelming to be called a hero. I was in the right place, at the right time and I did what I had to do. Life can do this to us and put us in these situations. I’m sure any other professional wave rider would have done the same thing, it is a code of honor between those who risk their lives in the ocean.”
He said he spent the rest of the day, after the rescue, riding waves to clear his head.
The former two-time world champion bodyboarder thanked everyone for their messages of support and said “not sure I’m worthy of such praise but for once in my life I can honestly say that I’m proud to be a human being. I also think it’s important to thank all the people that are saving lives everyday and don’t get the recognition and pats on the back that they deserve. Thank you.”
In a video interview with Stab magazine, Andre explained that he had been out at Pipe for about 45 minutes when he noticed Evan take a “heavy wave” and not pop up after his board tomb stoned.
Andre said he paddled as fast as he could to get to Evan…”and by the time I got to him his board was floating at that point and basically his feet were up and his head was down…he was in bad shape man. He was just, his face was a dark blue purple colour, eyes rolled back he was foaming at the mouth…the closest thing I can compare it to is when I saw my dog get put down…
“I was convinced the guy was dead at that point. That’s where I started blowing air into his mouth and there were waves hitting and I think I got one good breath of air into him and then more water starting coming out and then actually we were getting worked – I was doing what I could. I did junior lifesaving when I was really young and we did cover that but most of it was instinctual. I’m no professional with it so I was doing what I thought I had to do at that point.
“Man I actually lost him at one point and I had to get him again and then at that point I saw [the] lifeguards and they took over at that point. I was trying to get his leash off his leg while they were all grabbing him and that was a bit difficult but that was basically my part and they took over and did all the right things from there on out.”
Watch the full video interview with Andre Botha here.
Eric also thanked the others who came to his brother’s rescue, and said “we had guardian angels yesterday! My biggest thanks to everyone!!! So so much love!!!! ?????? #SurfingBrotherHood”
The surf that day…
Evan ‘throwing a Shaka’ in hospital:
Watch Video of the rescue:
MORE
South African bodyboarder rescues unconscious surfer at Pipeline, Hawaii