The Da Hui Backdoor Shootout is underway, and it doesn’t get any more exciting than this for surfing fans. Even the winds on day 1 of the Backdoor Pipeline Shootout were crazy. It was clear that fans were as amped about the event as the actual surfers. Things were definitely exciting for Koa Smith, who was thrilled to compete with his dynamite team. However, things did go a little awry for him during the second heat.

But apart from that little, or maybe not so little, hiccup, Smith had a good day riding the waves. He even captured the entire event on camera to give his fans a firsthand POV. But it is not an exaggeration to say that he was lucky to be unharmed. Let’s find out why.

Koa Smith Had a Close Encounter With a Dangerous Wave

Smith caught a great wave during the first heat and even rode it pretty well. However, he was not that lucky during the second heat. The waves got rowdier during the second heat, and Koa Smith and his surfing board had to pay the price for the same. A big wave threatened to mow Smith down, but he managed to escape somehow.

He said, “It was like the last wave when I like air dropped into it and I almost got into the lip and then I had to jump and it landed on me. Somehow didn’t get that pounded.”

However, he was not so lucky with the second wave and got caught in it. He recalled, “But then wave number 2, I couldn’t have got more caught inside it. It was like.. it was scary.” Things could have gotten much worse for him, but the surf gods were looking over him that day because he thankfully made it to the shore unscathed.

Read more: “Pipeline Was in All Her Glory Today”: Kelly Slater Sends a Heartfelt Message to Surfing Star Knocked Unconscious by a Freak Injury

Smith Got Lucky Enough to Remain Unharmed

Smith’s surfboard did not fare that well though, as it was broken. He, however, was thankful to be in one piece. “I actually didn’t go underwater just barely dipped and the whitewash went over my head so I didn’t even get pounded. I was like sooo lucky. First heat in the books, broke one board, got one seven five, so I’m stoked.”

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Koa Smith’s love for the sport is unquestionable. He was definitely excited to perform in the Backdoor Pipeline Shootout, and he was elated that he did well in the first heat. The POV seen through his camera was truly insane, and it showed his skills during the surf. That might be one of the reasons, coupled with extremely good luck, why he was able to come out of the waves safe and sound. Did you think Smith’s performance in the first heat was legendary? Tell us in the comments.

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