Cover shot of Lowey, moments before the incident by Lea Hahn.
Last week, hard-charging UK big wave hellcat Tom Lowe was knocked out on the reef at macking Tehaupo’o, was found face down in the joint’s lagoon and had to be resuscitated on the back of the ski.
Tributes have poured in for the St Ives local, wishing him well and a quick return to doing what he loves.
And, this was Lowey’s first return to Teahupo’o after a similar life and death situation in the same spot. Speaking with me back then, in May 2023, Lowey reiterated this wasn’t the end of his big wave career.
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Now, after all the heartfelt messages on social media, Lowey’s taken to Instagram earlier today to share an update.
“So here we are,” he wrote. “What are the chances of having another near-death at Teahupoo the first time back surfing it. Thankful it wasn’t my time again.
“Eternally grateful to @veteadavid and @sage_burke for rescuing and resuscitating me…my true guardian angels!!
“I don’t remember anything about the accident at all, besides coughing up water and blood in the marina.
“I was under for 2 or 3 minutes the guys said…must have got knocked out on the reef or blacked out from the hold down. Feels pretty scary not remembering anything.
“Wanted to say thanks to @matahidrollet and @guy__mac for getting my family to me in the hospital, and to the locals for being so kind in the lineup always.
“Will this be the end of Teahupo’o for me…I really don’t know. It’ll be hard not to come back to this magical place again. For now I’m just so grateful to be alive, to be able to be with my family here, and for the deep connections made with the place and people once again.
“@veteadavid and I met here around 2008 and we shared a barrel together. Then a few years ago, he came to visit me in hospital after that first gnarly accident. Now this has connected us for life. If it wasn’t for him grabbing my lifeless body out of the water, and him and @sage_burke resuscitating me, Teahupoo would have taken me. I’m a lucky guy. Big love and thanks for all the kind messages and prayers everyone.”
Footage seen by the team here shows Lowey on a bomb moments before the incident. Wishing the big man a quick recovery.
