Yesterday, we reported that Austin Gibbons, a 25-year-old surfer from New York, was hospitalized in critical condition after being found unresponsive at Pipeline on Monday.
Surfers helped bring him to shore where lifeguards gave him “several cycles of CPR before he finally regained a pulse,” KHON2 News reported.
Details were scarce at the time, but more have emerged from a New York newspaper that spoke with his mother.
Christine Gibbons shared an update about her son and more details about his life with New York newspaper, Newsday.
According to Newsday, the lifeguards had finished their shift and were in the Ehukai Beach Park parking lot when they heard that Austin was unconscious and needed help.
“By the grace of God they were still there,” Christine told the paper.
A statement from Honolulu Ocean Safety said lifeguards started CPR, and after several attempts, Austin regained a pulse. From there, EMS took over with advanced lifesaving treatment and brought the surfer to an emergency room.
Christine flew from New York to Oahu on Tuesday to be with her son, according to the story.
“She would not disclose his injuries for privacy reasons, but confirmed he is ‘getting better’ each day,” Newsday reported.
According to the story, Austin moved to Hawaii about a month ago “to pursue his dream of becoming an Oahu lifeguard and had performed ‘very well’ on the lifeguard test” at the end of January.
“He was on a surfboard since two years old,” Christine told the paper. “Since he could walk.”
Christine told the newspaper that he was “heavily” involved in the surfing community in Long Beach, New York, where he’s from.
He worked at a surf shop, a surf school, and with special needs children, Christine told Newsday.
“Since the accident, Gibbons’ family has been ‘overwhelmed’ by messages of support from community members and she asked for continued prayers,” Newsday reported.
Christine told the paper:
“I really believe he’s strong enough in mind and body to fight and we can get through this.”
We’re sending love and light to Austin and his family.
***
Don’t miss another headline from SURFER! Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Instagram, and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of surfing. We’re always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging surf-related videos to feature on our channels.
Whether you’re a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos.