I think some people took what I said wrong.. I DO NOT CARE HOW I LOOK with the helmet, I'm only hesitant about it because of what it does to my senses under water. I'm worried it could put me in a worst position. BUT im going to try more out to see if I can get used to them.
I think that's the way to go.Its just a matter of finding one you're comfortable with.After a while you won't even be aware of it.Think of it as an Insurance.We all hope we never have to use it, but its there when we need it.Keep safe.Keep Inspiring.
@@HanssupansnowEXACTLY! Also, koa saying all his senses are all messed up wearing the helmet, that’s more of a mental thing. It’s almost like a pro race car driver saying, “I can’t drive that well because I’m wearing a 5 point seat belt harness”.
Keep the helmet. You have a whole great life ahead of you. Just imagine WATCHING everyone surf FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE because you hit your head again. And a simple helmet would mean you surf another day. KEEP THE HELMET
Mate, this is your workplace. If you can't work it really sucks. You're a role model and your health is important. Don't worry about how you look. You will make helmet cool for everyone especially. The next generation. Go hard legend.
@@tedleyreynolds5541 lol Most already doo don’t they ;) Japanese got those skins suits for staying pale and white and buy brand new sickest boards and can’t even figure out where to paddle out from or find channels Lol a real non kook oughta wear board shorts over wet suit and KoA style helmet! :)
Im 61, Your show pulled my through 4 major surgeries. Youre a Legend! Showing us how difficult it is to change when you know you should - even though you dont want to. PLEASE PLEASE wear your helmet. We all need our Koa!!!!
Its like when I cracked my bike helmet and they said in order to do that you gotta hit the ground at 50 mph ,the car and my speed combined, which I did, and that would have been my head. If you don't wanna do it take a look at a cracked helmet and know that would have been your head so...
Ichabod the first surfer to wear a helmet , then Herman the German was next,with the point on top the helmet. Uncle thinks maybe try it out. But surfing Pipe every week,,9-10 months a year! maybe try them. all out.
I had motorcycle buddies that were too cool for helmets, now they are cooling six feet under. I have a buddy with a motorcycle crash "too cool for a helmet" head injury. He survived but has to live with the broken peaces that can't be fixed. This is an injury that he has to live with but also all his loved ones. You don't always die from head injures, but they can be devastating all the same.
Excellent point. People with severe head injuries require care. It's time consuming, stressful, can be very costly. And most of all, that type of injury has a huge impact on the injured and friends and family. They will never be the same again.
My thoughts exactly. No need to cover the ears. That’s what causes loss of awareness under water. And that one is way more stylish vs that white Tron helmet😂. And those soft padded ones wont do a damn thing to protect your skull. Like the old leather football helmets.
Wearing a helmet is just fitting in with the crowd today it will save your life. Back in the day snowboarding me used are skate helmets duck tape the holes and it worked good. Glad to see you back out and being safe. You the man.late.
I've been in two motorcycle accidents. One on a race track and one on a backroad. In both cases the helmets were badly damaged but I was ok. I still continue to ride. Your personal safety is more important than anything. Stay safe.
Happy you are back in the water and surfing. I know how you feel about a helmet as a lifelong skier I had every excuse to not wear one. You put it on the line in big treacherous waves shallow reefs and wild crowds find one that fits and you can tolerate and then wear it. It makes sense ask Kai Lenny.
Yeah, I only switched to wearing a helmet skiing because it was warmer. The first season wearing the helmet I had a terrible crash (while pushing boundaries) that smacked the back of my helmet on the raised edge of a metal barrel. Helmets (at least the hard shell ones) are great for preventing skull fractures. Kai Lenny's crash is a great example. The helmet cracked instead of his skull. He still had a concussion, but not having a cracked skull is totally worth it. I definitely was thankful for that in my ski crash. I do think that it is a matter of risk analysis. I don't wear a helmet surfing but I also do not surf heavy slabs. You need to be able to protect yourself in a fall regardless, as a helmet will not protect against a broken neck. Falling head first in shallow water is dangerous helmet or not. Knowing how to fall safely is super important.
Have you considered that the disorientation you felt when you were getting worked is a symptom of your initial injury and not the helmet. I used a helmet for years in huge waves on the Humboldt Coast and never had an issue.
The atmosphere at Pipe seemed so tense in this video. Made me worried for everyone's safety out there. I think it's awesome to see how many people got used to surfing with a helmet and are charging. I hope you will be able to enjoy wearing it soon as well
Glad you are ok @Koa Rothman I agree, find a helmet YOU feel comfortable in and wear it for short periods till you get acclimated with it on in the water. So glad to see more guys wearing helmets out there!! Hope your stitches are healing well!
Everyone in the comments telling you to rock the helmet, but you know the risks and rewards better than any of us. Whatever you feel comfortable with is the right call for you. I skate with no helmet all the time, and it's definitely dangerous but exactly like you were saying, I've learned how to properly fall over my 10+ years of skating, and I feel like a bobble head with a helmet on. No matter what you decide, glad you're back. Keep charging dude
I surf in the cold every year when I first put a hood on I’m like NO but 2 sessions and it’s normal. Catch a few more waves with it on and you’ll get used to it
The fact your girl has no care in the world for how you look, lets you know how much she care's for you, its deeper than the surface. Its real. Mahalo bro!
🎉HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!! 🎉 "pipe is agressive this year"...sadly, this is a true statement. Great job getting back out to Pipe. Surfing was great. How cool is Peter King to open up his home for all of you to hang out. 💙🌊
That was awesome to see Sunset Beach Elementary in the background! Love watching all you guys videos and such. I actually went there when I was a kid. Crazy to see all you guys grown up and doing bad ass things. I moved away when in 97. My step dad is Lon Klein of Haleiwa Surfboards Company. Glad to see you are alright and you are back in the water!
I consider myself lucky to have never hit my head as hard as you did. That being said, I've been helmet shopping because of your injury. Be safe out there young man! Thanks for the awesome content Koa and crew!
Good to see you back! Enjoy your videos and am glad to see more guys wearing helmets. Takes time to get use to anything new! Better safe than sorry always!!!
Surfed with a helmet first time riding a barrel wave at a wave pool, was so surprised at how little I noticed it on. The only time I did notice it was when I went head first over the barrel and boy was I thankful I was wearing it. Definitely going to be something I do more often when on surfing on reef breaks or concrete pools
I started skating and snowboarding with a helmet in 2023. its been an adjustment. honestly though ive been really greatful for it on a couple occasions this winter
Your description of disorientation with the helmet on underwater makes complete sense. However, you are status post concussion & still recovering from it which may play a part in the discombobulated sensory overload at this point. Your plan with the new helmet others seem to favor wearing for multiple brief sessions is smart. Give it time. Give your brain time. Time to heal..time to recover & re-map those once familiar pathways that established over a lifetime of surfing & now need to grow again. You’ll get it back as the magic of “neuron memory” leads the way.
Koa I have had countless head injuries from surfing, skating and mountain biking. I can't do any of those things now after my last injury. You are lucky man, enjoy it while you can.
13:33 exemplifies this quote: “the illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” Koa, learn, adapt, protect your brain.
I have the same soft helmet for windsurfing. Has saved me from getting knocked out at least once. I also cut the flappy thing off. Ensis Balz Pro Helmet is a step up.
the thing that's throwing you off more than anything (or rather the reason why you don't like the helmet) is the reduction in your hearing, which can throw everything else off, especially your balance. I live and surf in the northeast so I'm in a hood 5 months out of the year, and when I'm surfing at some of the sketchier reef breaks I'll pull my hood back right before I commit to paddling for the wave and it makes a big difference...I'd rather be cold that eat it. Those surf helmets need a bigger cutout for the ear/hearing...take a look at the nfl helmets...it's at least worth passing on to the helmet companies to see if they can develop a helmet that doesn't reduce hearing as much
184,000 people follow you. Among them are lots of young surfers who may be willing to wear a helmet if you wear one, and it may save one of their lives someday, let alone yours.
@@Cristobal_2012 Who said he would be endangering anybody but himself by not wearing a helmet? All @speedboard said was it him wearing a helmet might encourage groms to wear helmets. Work on reading comprehension before attacking someone else's point as "stupid."
Shawn White talking about losing sponsorships in the early days cause he wore a helmet & it being the standard now is a great example of how perspective changes. Stay safe and make that money bro 🤙
I use the Tontron brand, made for kayaking and I love it. You can also remove the ear protection, white color is better to not get over heated. I did not like the Gath that are uncomfortable in my opinion. Cheers mate!
Brother I have alot of respect for you and what you do for waterman is massive. You teacher of the new generation. Mother ocean she teaching us the ocean is changing. I'm from Santa Cruz and surf steamers,and Comercial fished. Ist time I was talked to go out to Mavericks insane! I've been of carrier going out Hawaii. She I truly believe a healer and a life taker. Bro just wear the helmet! I was scared for you when I saw a video and prayed you come out of this. You know the OCEANS are changing. Wear the HELMET AND TEACH the to the next generation of caretaker of Mother Earth. Your own family tells ya. I hope you read this long message. You a great youtuber. What you share goes all over the world. Show the world on how the ocean is changing. Live long make babies. Cheers
I've been snowboarding since 1990. Been all over North America. I did all the fun "extreme" backcounrty stuff ( chutes, cliffs, rocks, and trees.) I never wore a helmet for about 15 years. I said all the same stuff. I know how to fall, been doing this a long time on crazy runs...all the excuses. My wife bought me a helmet in 2005, after my first daught was born. The deal was to at least wear it going through the woods. I did but hated it. Fast foward 3 years... my buddy and I are at a very small local resort in southern PA, screwing around. It was east coast hard packed(aka.... ice) w/ not a drop of natural snow, nothing but snow gun crystal clumps on top. My edge caught a clump of snow and fell with my back facing down the slope. My head smacked the ice and knocked me out....on a bunny slope. The worst part my helmet was in the car. Since that day, I have never once not worn my helmet. That decision has saved me a few other times since. Wear the helmet, there is zero shame in any of it. You will get use to it. Just takes a few times out.
I can kinda relate, I used to drive a ton including professionally and for basically the same reason my driving wasn't as good when I wore a seatbelt. That's not about how it looks, or flaunting the law, it's a mental thing sorta like a phobia. I don't recommend it for anyone else, but for some people like me the safety factor of being able to avoid an accident in the first place is real. So I can relate.
Great to see you inspiring the younger generation to show its cool to wear a helmet mate one good thing you can take from your close call is you got to live another day to inspire ! you will get used to it as well keep using it :) maybe keep looking for the perfect one.
I understand what Koa is saying. I does make you feel like your in more danger wearing it, your a master at what you do. Take two steps backward, to take 5 steps forward. There is a learning curve to everything.
I sometimes wear mine I sometimes don’t, depends on how shallow my local beach break gets, because waves get really barreling, I use like the standard gath, the same as makanas, you cut off the ear pads and you can get used to them really fast, I don’t know how the other ones feel but that’s what I use, obviously at first they will feel uncomfortable.
I know how you feeling koa, going back in the water now with a helmet and not feeling the same as you feel kinda closed in. For years people tell me to wear helmet when skiing, recently in the Maldives everyone was on to me about wearing one in the reef breaks but at 65 years it’s really tough changing especially around my nut. Obviously I’m not as agile as I was so slower on the ups. Guess I need to listen and you need to adapt before you get to 65 or you might not make it. Take care, I wish your films were around when I was a kid.
Just give some use to time. This could save your life in extreme conditions like this. I think it is a great idea to try it on small fun days. Good luck Koa!
Honestly, the Simba helmets look cool af. I wore my Gath at Mavs in the early 90s but never really liked it. I bet they're better now. Hope you wear the thing. I can't surf anymore (can't hardly walk) cause of old surf injuries so you video guys are all I've got. Stay safe, bro.
Helmets were not mandatory in many sports in the past, like cycling. After some fatal accidents, now they are mandatory. I think it's a matter of time to regulate surfing.
it’s smart to try to get used to it. and to find one that’s gunna protect you but give you your sense of hearing still. question if you’ve worn on on land before? skiers and snowboarders never used to and now everyone does!
Koa, Seriously she is incredibly beautiful especially with the helmet on, and honestly you rock that helmet don’t worry about it, just wear it and let it save your life. Mad love brother, keep the videos coming. Truly happy you are doing well, after all “this is livin”
"I'm really good at keeping myself safe"...right up until your head bounces off the reef. I am glad to hear your ending statement, buy another one that others have recommended, try it out and see if you can get used to it. I get it, it is definitely different than what you have dealt with up to this point in your life. (have you ever ridden a motorcycle?) My only advice is to not make a decision quickly, this kind of change takes time to adjust to. Might as well be safe.
Good stuff Koa... you just lost the % game that day, but lived to see another, the skid-lid kinda goes with the moniker This Is Living. I'm sure vesting up wasn't pleasant the first few times too.
I love the rawness of these videos. I feel like I’m a buddy of his. I ride dirt motorcycles; we ALL wear helmets because there are rocks everywhere. If you ride where there are rocks; wear a helmet bro.
12:05 What’s crazy to me as a surfer growing up In Cali, is that how you guy talk about how bad the waves were and the conditions were. I would have been out there all day in those conditions. Just to have a chance to surf pipe. Glad you wore a helmet ⛑️
Definitely stick with the helmet. Find one that you like and wear it. I'm speaking not as a surfer but as a Tahoe skier where helmets are the norm. You never see anyone skiing without one. You'll get used to it and be happy you have it on the next time you need it. It's the evolution of the sport and you can help drive it in the right direction. Love your vids.
If all these other chargers can wear em and get drained, so can you. In any of the heavy clips of long rides, the last thing anybody notices is the dome. Time in the barrel, speed, style, approach, technique, and awareness all come first, to the point nobody even notices the skull protection when scoring or onlooking high risk waves. Johnston, McNamara, Smith, etc: you don't even see it as some dampering to their rides. Everybody is rocking them for different reasons, and nobody is going to point the finger at you for being safer and surfing longer than they are.
Random visit to Pipeline yesterday, watching the waves & surfers and who walks up - Koa! What a genuinely nice guy, thanks for chatting with us for a few minutes. As if this wasn't good enough, we walked down the beach to eat at Ted's Bakery and saw you pull up across the street to help your girlfriend who appeared to have some car trouble. At the risk of sounding like your grandma (yes, I'm about that old - HA) you are such a nice young man. 😆❤ Best wishes!
The Gath helmets are awesome and its weird at first but you get used to it. Its very easy not to wear it but if you give it a chance you will not regret it.
Your argument against the helmet is valid..y’all just have to train hard with it to overcome that. Try a low cut one without ear guards. You can cover the noggin fine without ear guards… if they work for whitewater kayakers they’ll work for surf. There’s plenty of low cut whitewater helmets out there….maybe take a cue from the kayakers
I think some people took what I said wrong.. I DO NOT CARE HOW I LOOK with the helmet, I'm only hesitant about it because of what it does to my senses under water. I'm worried it could put me in a worst position. BUT im going to try more out to see if I can get used to them.
Helmets not made to prevent concussions …. Do the same thing again you would still be concussed. If not worse
I think that's the way to go.Its just a matter of finding one you're comfortable with.After a while you won't even be aware of it.Think of it as an Insurance.We all hope we never have to use it, but its there when we need it.Keep safe.Keep Inspiring.
Ask Kai Lenny. He would have been dead if didn’t wear a helmet.
@@HanssupansnowEXACTLY!
Also, koa saying all his senses are all messed up wearing the helmet, that’s more of a mental thing.
It’s almost like a pro race car driver saying, “I can’t drive that well because I’m wearing a 5 point seat belt harness”.
You’ll get used to it. And little old ladies over 70 need them before they step out of bed.
If Jamie can do it, you can too.
The helmet made Jamie even better... That and the pink soft top. 🤙🤙🤙
@@megacatsupreme466 I don't know that it made him any better, but it definitely did not make him any worse.
I’m sure it made him more comfortable out there
@@kenjohnson8752 If safety equals comfort.
That’s what I meant, more comfortable due to more safety measures!
Keep the helmet. You have a whole great life ahead of you. Just imagine WATCHING everyone surf FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE because you hit your head again. And a simple helmet would mean you surf another day. KEEP THE HELMET
You dont think he knows this, so many parasocial andies in the comments.
@danielmitchell671 the comments are for people's opinions. I gave mine. As did you. And if he knew it he would have been wearing a helmet all along
@@lnr12241 He definitely knows it my guy, just because someone doesnt adhere to something doesnt mean they dont understand the consequences.
@@danielmitchell671 No I don't think you understand. The majority of us agree with him.
@@curiousnomadic didnt realise you took a census on the matter
Mate, this is your workplace. If you can't work it really sucks. You're a role model and your health is important. Don't worry about how you look. You will make helmet cool for everyone especially. The next generation. Go hard legend.
Yeah but wait till everybody starts dressing like those kooks on bicycles.
I'll be in my wheelchair though?
@@tedleyreynolds5541 lol
Most already doo don’t they ;)
Japanese got those skins suits for staying pale and white and buy brand new sickest boards and can’t even figure out where to paddle out from or find channels
Lol a real non kook oughta wear board shorts over wet suit and KoA style helmet! :)
Im 61, Your show pulled my through 4 major surgeries. Youre a Legend! Showing us how difficult it is to change when you know you should - even though you dont want to. PLEASE PLEASE wear your helmet. We all need our Koa!!!!
It doesn’t matter how you look it’s that you are a little safer than you were.
Facts. We want Koa among us, that's it.
A lot safer actually
You probably get used to it.
He should get a modified one with ear holes.
Its like when I cracked my bike helmet and they said in order to do that you gotta hit the ground at 50 mph ,the car and my speed combined, which I did, and that would have been my head. If you don't wanna do it take a look at a cracked helmet and know that would have been your head so...
I’m so happy that you guys are wearing the helmets . Kudos to all of you !!
Fail.
Ichabod the first surfer to wear a helmet , then Herman the German was next,with the point on top the helmet. Uncle thinks maybe try it out. But surfing Pipe every week,,9-10 months a year! maybe try them. all out.
I had motorcycle buddies that were too cool for helmets, now they are cooling six feet under. I have a buddy with a motorcycle crash "too cool for a helmet" head injury. He survived but has to live with the broken peaces that can't be fixed. This is an injury that he has to live with but also all his loved ones. You don't always die from head injures, but they can be devastating all the same.
Excellent point. People with severe head injuries require care. It's time consuming, stressful, can be very costly. And most of all, that type of injury has a huge impact on the injured and friends and family. They will never be the same again.
The helmet at 4:48 seems like the way to go. Protective and it not covering the ears will help with equilibrium
My thoughts exactly. No need to cover the ears. That’s what causes loss of awareness under water. And that one is way more stylish vs that white Tron helmet😂. And those soft padded ones wont do a damn thing to protect your skull. Like the old leather football helmets.
Jack is a good good friend listen to him. Cool to see so many wearing them now.
Wearing a helmet is just fitting in with the crowd today it will save your life. Back in the day snowboarding me used are skate helmets duck tape the holes and it worked good. Glad to see you back out and being safe. You the man.late.
I've been in two motorcycle accidents. One on a race track and one on a backroad. In both cases the helmets were badly damaged but I was ok. I still continue to ride. Your personal safety is more important than anything. Stay safe.
Listen to Lydia, she has 1000% your best interests at heart.
Happy you are back in the water and surfing. I know how you feel about a helmet as a lifelong skier I had every excuse to not wear one. You put it on the line in big treacherous waves shallow reefs and wild crowds find one that fits and you can tolerate and then wear it. It makes sense ask Kai Lenny.
Kai was very lucky to be wearing that helmet.
Yeah, I only switched to wearing a helmet skiing because it was warmer. The first season wearing the helmet I had a terrible crash (while pushing boundaries) that smacked the back of my helmet on the raised edge of a metal barrel.
Helmets (at least the hard shell ones) are great for preventing skull fractures. Kai Lenny's crash is a great example. The helmet cracked instead of his skull. He still had a concussion, but not having a cracked skull is totally worth it. I definitely was thankful for that in my ski crash.
I do think that it is a matter of risk analysis. I don't wear a helmet surfing but I also do not surf heavy slabs. You need to be able to protect yourself in a fall regardless, as a helmet will not protect against a broken neck. Falling head first in shallow water is dangerous helmet or not. Knowing how to fall safely is super important.
Glad you’re good Koa. Can’t wait to see you back in the lineup.
Have you considered that the disorientation you felt when you were getting worked is a symptom of your initial injury and not the helmet. I used a helmet for years in huge waves on the Humboldt Coast and never had an issue.
He’s said before the injury that helmets disorient him
Yea what about guys like Mick Davey who absolutely rip and always wear helmets. It sounds to me like Koa just needs to get used to it
mental block
100% anytime you injury yourself the brain tricks the body.
Tom Carrol ricked the helmet decades ago and I bet he never got called names. Lol.
The atmosphere at Pipe seemed so tense in this video. Made me worried for everyone's safety out there. I think it's awesome to see how many people got used to surfing with a helmet and are charging. I hope you will be able to enjoy wearing it soon as well
Glad you are ok @Koa Rothman I agree, find a helmet YOU feel comfortable in and wear it for short periods till you get acclimated with it on in the water. So glad to see more guys wearing helmets out there!! Hope your stitches are healing well!
Takes a few sessions to get used to the change of hearing from the helmet ear coverage.
Everyone in the comments telling you to rock the helmet, but you know the risks and rewards better than any of us. Whatever you feel comfortable with is the right call for you. I skate with no helmet all the time, and it's definitely dangerous but exactly like you were saying, I've learned how to properly fall over my 10+ years of skating, and I feel like a bobble head with a helmet on. No matter what you decide, glad you're back. Keep charging dude
Fully. I mean if he gets concussed there’s no way he can get dumber than he is.
I surf in the cold every year when I first put a hood on I’m like NO but 2 sessions and it’s normal. Catch a few more waves with it on and you’ll get used to it
Love the genuine care and complete emotional honesty of this vlog!
That silver carbon fiber helmet to me looked like the best balance of protection and comfort.
Hmm you sure it's not plastic like the other dumb plastic helmets?
The fact your girl has no care in the world for how you look, lets you know how much she care's for you, its deeper than the surface. Its real. Mahalo bro!
The white hard material helmet gives gladiator/spartan vibes. Sick 🤙🏼!!
🎉HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!! 🎉
"pipe is agressive this year"...sadly, this is a true statement. Great job getting back out to Pipe. Surfing was great.
How cool is Peter King to open up his home for all of you to hang out. 💙🌊
That was awesome to see Sunset Beach Elementary in the background! Love watching all you guys videos and such. I actually went there when I was a kid. Crazy to see all you guys grown up and doing bad ass things. I moved away when in 97. My step dad is Lon Klein of Haleiwa Surfboards Company. Glad to see you are alright and you are back in the water!
I consider myself lucky to have never hit my head as hard as you did. That being said, I've been helmet shopping because of your injury. Be safe out there young man! Thanks for the awesome content Koa and crew!
Koa Go Be Great # Let's Go!...Happy Birthday Jack
Brother you look fucking golden! You make the trend bro. So happy to see so many positive people around you
Koa, Eala Stewart just said on his first time wearing one it saved him on that airdrop!! Keep wearing it, and keep changing legend
I like that his friends are forcing him. Awesome day to be back.
Thank you for the candid video, glad you’re back in action!
Wear the hard white one. Likely more effective and looks better too. You will get used to it after a surf or two
you look really good, Koa. happy you're healthy & doing what you love
Good to see you back! Enjoy your videos and am glad to see more guys wearing helmets. Takes time to get use to anything new! Better safe than sorry always!!!
Yeah Koa. Great to see you back out there. You look sick with a helmet. Please continue to wear one
Getting used to it is a good plan! It’s like learning anything new. Take your time with it. Get excited about the learning!
Surfed with a helmet first time riding a barrel wave at a wave pool, was so surprised at how little I noticed it on. The only time I did notice it was when I went head first over the barrel and boy was I thankful I was wearing it. Definitely going to be something I do more often when on surfing on reef breaks or concrete pools
I started skating and snowboarding with a helmet in 2023. its been an adjustment. honestly though ive been really greatful for it on a couple occasions this winter
Thanks for wearing the Helmet Koa! Definitely been worried about you ever since I found out you got Injured! So relieved your ok.
Good to see you back out there, doing what you love.
Like a gladiator going into battle, this wave is a killer, wear what you can to protect yourself.
Always a learning curve when using new equipment…keep at it. 2024=year surf helmets go viral
Your description of disorientation with the helmet on underwater makes complete sense. However, you are status post concussion & still recovering from it which may play a part in the discombobulated sensory overload at this point. Your plan with the new helmet others seem to favor wearing for multiple brief sessions is smart. Give it time. Give your brain time. Time to heal..time to recover & re-map those once familiar pathways that established over a lifetime of surfing & now need to grow again. You’ll get it back as the magic of “neuron memory” leads the way.
I started windsurfing with a helmet and impact vest
Took some getting used to but part of the gear now 🤙
Koa I have had countless head injuries from surfing, skating and mountain biking. I can't do any of those things now after my last injury. You are lucky man, enjoy it while you can.
I can't get over how well produced this vlog is! Koa and team, don't go nowhere..
Cheers mate! Good job getting back on it!
So glad you are ok! Your fans just want you to be safe and not get a life altering injury! Listen to Lydia & Jack! 🙏🏻
So stoked to see u go for the helmet bruddah!! The gath is where it’s at I forget I have that thing on most of the time🤙
Jack is such a good friend. The was he keeps telling you that you have to wear a helemet is really nice
You have a lot of people depending on you koa, stay safe for your friends, family, and employees.
13:33 exemplifies this quote: “the illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” Koa, learn, adapt, protect your brain.
Been sick lately and just finished watching every single video you’ve ever posted lol never got tired of it, love you guys! 🤙🏼
I have the same soft helmet for windsurfing. Has saved me from getting knocked out at least once. I also cut the flappy thing off. Ensis Balz Pro Helmet is a step up.
love the helmet ! do what you love but keep it safe. your life is so precious ! So happy to see you doing better xo
the thing that's throwing you off more than anything (or rather the reason why you don't like the helmet) is the reduction in your hearing, which can throw everything else off, especially your balance. I live and surf in the northeast so I'm in a hood 5 months out of the year, and when I'm surfing at some of the sketchier reef breaks I'll pull my hood back right before I commit to paddling for the wave and it makes a big difference...I'd rather be cold that eat it. Those surf helmets need a bigger cutout for the ear/hearing...take a look at the nfl helmets...it's at least worth passing on to the helmet companies to see if they can develop a helmet that doesn't reduce hearing as much
Another blessed day to be alive ..this is livin!! Have a good one
184,000 people follow you. Among them are lots of young surfers who may be willing to wear a helmet if you wear one, and it may save one of their lives someday, let alone yours.
Great point
@@Cristobal_2012 Who said he would be endangering anybody but himself by not wearing a helmet? All @speedboard said was it him wearing a helmet might encourage groms to wear helmets. Work on reading comprehension before attacking someone else's point as "stupid."
Shawn White talking about losing sponsorships in the early days cause he wore a helmet & it being the standard now is a great example of how perspective changes. Stay safe and make that money bro 🤙
You are so brave doing something new ..what an inspiration to us all ..I love the awkward faces lol😂
God bless you for your back the waves in the pipeline
Love your videos Koa, you and Jack inspire all the time. Keep doing what you do. Much aloha ✌🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Koa caring so so much about how he looks
I use the Tontron brand, made for kayaking and I love it. You can also remove the ear protection, white color is better to not get over heated. I did not like the Gath that are uncomfortable in my opinion. Cheers mate!
Brother I have alot of respect for you and what you do for waterman is massive. You teacher of the new generation. Mother ocean she teaching us the ocean is changing. I'm from Santa Cruz and surf steamers,and Comercial fished. Ist time I was talked to go out to Mavericks insane! I've been of carrier going out Hawaii.
She I truly believe a healer and a life taker. Bro just wear the helmet! I was scared for you when I saw a video and prayed you come out of this. You know the OCEANS are changing. Wear the HELMET AND TEACH the to the next generation of caretaker of Mother Earth. Your own family tells ya. I hope you read this long message. You a great youtuber. What you share goes all over the world. Show the world on how the ocean is changing. Live long make babies. Cheers
It looks great bro and you're an amazing surfer. It's gonna keep you riding for a long time.
Don’t take the chance man, it’s your life you only get to live it once, keep yourself safe over everything.
I've been snowboarding since 1990. Been all over North America. I did all the fun "extreme" backcounrty stuff ( chutes, cliffs, rocks, and trees.) I never wore a helmet for about 15 years. I said all the same stuff. I know how to fall, been doing this a long time on crazy runs...all the excuses. My wife bought me a helmet in 2005, after my first daught was born. The deal was to at least wear it going through the woods. I did but hated it. Fast foward 3 years... my buddy and I are at a very small local resort in southern PA, screwing around. It was east coast hard packed(aka.... ice) w/ not a drop of natural snow, nothing but snow gun crystal clumps on top. My edge caught a clump of snow and fell with my back facing down the slope. My head smacked the ice and knocked me out....on a bunny slope. The worst part my helmet was in the car. Since that day, I have never once not worn my helmet. That decision has saved me a few other times since. Wear the helmet, there is zero shame in any of it. You will get use to it. Just takes a few times out.
Thank you Koa. Grateful.
I can kinda relate, I used to drive a ton including professionally and for basically the same reason my driving wasn't as good when I wore a seatbelt. That's not about how it looks, or flaunting the law, it's a mental thing sorta like a phobia. I don't recommend it for anyone else, but for some people like me the safety factor of being able to avoid an accident in the first place is real. So I can relate.
Much Aloha Koa, We all want you to live to surf! Mahalo for your sharing this!
Legend 🤙 YEEEEEEEP speedy recovery bra
Great to see you inspiring the younger generation to show its cool to wear a helmet mate one good thing you can take from your close call is you got to live another day to inspire ! you will get used to it as well keep using it :) maybe keep looking for the perfect one.
The helmet looks rad on you Koa! (the one you wore going out)
I understand what Koa is saying. I does make you feel like your in more danger wearing it, your a master at what you do. Take two steps backward, to take 5 steps forward. There is a learning curve to everything.
I sometimes wear mine I sometimes don’t, depends on how shallow my local beach break gets, because waves get really barreling, I use like the standard gath, the same as makanas, you cut off the ear pads and you can get used to them really fast, I don’t know how the other ones feel but that’s what I use, obviously at first they will feel uncomfortable.
Glad to see you back in the water!🤙🏼
These videos are gonna be so special in like 20 years
I know how you feeling koa, going back in the water now with a helmet and not feeling the same as you feel kinda closed in. For years people tell me to wear helmet when skiing, recently in the Maldives everyone was on to me about wearing one in the reef breaks but at 65 years it’s really tough changing especially around my nut. Obviously I’m not as agile as I was so slower on the ups. Guess I need to listen and you need to adapt before you get to 65 or you might not make it. Take care, I wish your films were around when I was a kid.
Just give some use to time. This could save your life in extreme conditions like this. I think it is a great idea to try it on small fun days. Good luck Koa!
Honestly, the Simba helmets look cool af. I wore my Gath at Mavs in the early 90s but never really liked it. I bet they're better now. Hope you wear the thing. I can't surf anymore (can't hardly walk) cause of old surf injuries so you video guys are all I've got. Stay safe, bro.
W0W! Miss Lydia rocked the helmet like some new sexy Marvel Superhero!!! Wear the helmet guy!
Helmets were not mandatory in many sports in the past, like cycling.
After some fatal accidents, now they are mandatory.
I think it's a matter of time to regulate surfing.
it’s smart to try to get used to it. and to find one that’s gunna protect you but give you your sense of hearing still. question if you’ve worn on on land before? skiers and snowboarders never used to and now everyone does!
Koa, Seriously she is incredibly beautiful especially with the helmet on, and honestly you rock that helmet don’t worry about it, just wear it and let it save your life. Mad love brother, keep the videos coming. Truly happy you are doing well, after all “this is livin”
"I'm really good at keeping myself safe"...right up until your head bounces off the reef.
I am glad to hear your ending statement, buy another one that others have recommended, try it out and see if you can get used to it. I get it, it is definitely different than what you have dealt with up to this point in your life. (have you ever ridden a motorcycle?) My only advice is to not make a decision quickly, this kind of change takes time to adjust to. Might as well be safe.
Thanks for the footage Koa.
Good stuff Koa... you just lost the % game that day, but lived to see another, the skid-lid kinda goes with the moniker This Is Living. I'm sure vesting up wasn't pleasant the first few times too.
I love the rawness of these videos. I feel like I’m a buddy of his. I ride dirt motorcycles; we ALL wear helmets because there are rocks everywhere. If you ride where there are rocks; wear a helmet bro.
Happy bday Jack!!!!!🎉
Chuffed to see your all good, excited to see more amazing content 🤙🤙
12:05 What’s crazy to me as a surfer growing up In Cali, is that how you guy talk about how bad the waves were and the conditions were. I would have been out there all day in those conditions. Just to have a chance to surf pipe. Glad you wore a helmet ⛑️
It's so much harder than it looks, especially from the beach angle
Right on Koa metal health and wellness is part of being a Champion 🏆 be well and safe. Say hi to Ely and EO ❤
Definitely stick with the helmet. Find one that you like and wear it. I'm speaking not as a surfer but as a Tahoe skier where helmets are the norm. You never see anyone skiing without one. You'll get used to it and be happy you have it on the next time you need it. It's the evolution of the sport and you can help drive it in the right direction. Love your vids.
If all these other chargers can wear em and get drained, so can you. In any of the heavy clips of long rides, the last thing anybody notices is the dome. Time in the barrel, speed, style, approach, technique, and awareness all come first, to the point nobody even notices the skull protection when scoring or onlooking high risk waves. Johnston, McNamara, Smith, etc: you don't even see it as some dampering to their rides. Everybody is rocking them for different reasons, and nobody is going to point the finger at you for being safer and surfing longer than they are.
Random visit to Pipeline yesterday, watching the waves & surfers and who walks up - Koa! What a genuinely nice guy, thanks for chatting with us for a few minutes. As if this wasn't good enough, we walked down the beach to eat at Ted's Bakery and saw you pull up across the street to help your girlfriend who appeared to have some car trouble. At the risk of sounding like your grandma (yes, I'm about that old - HA) you are such a nice young man. 😆❤ Best wishes!
The Gath helmets are awesome and its weird at first but you get used to it. Its very easy not to wear it but if you give it a chance you will not regret it.
Your argument against the helmet is valid..y’all just have to train hard with it to overcome that. Try a low cut one without ear guards. You can cover the noggin fine without ear guards… if they work for whitewater kayakers they’ll work for surf. There’s plenty of low cut whitewater helmets out there….maybe take a cue from the kayakers
I am glad you are better, Koa
Glad to see you are ok and back in the water. Keep trying different helmets.