Lucas Godfrey Suffers Serious Spinal Injury in Heavy Pipeline Wipeout
Friday, February 7th, turned into a dramatic and tragic day on the North Shore as Pipeline and Backdoor produced some of the best waves of the winter. As the waiting period for the WSL Pipe Pro came to an end, the conditions exceeded expectations, delivering powerful, challenging swells. Spectators were treated to an incredible display of surfing, and as soon as the final buzzer sounded, dozens of local surfers rushed into the lineup, eager to take advantage of the pumping waves.
Among those paddling out was Lucas Godfrey, also known as Sky Walka, a highly respected and rising talent in the North Shore surf scene. However, what was meant to be another session in world-class waves turned into a life-threatening ordeal.
A Devastating Wipeout at Backdoor
As the swell continued to build throughout the morning and into the afternoon, many waves became nearly impossible to navigate. During the free surf session after the event, the already crowded lineup became even more intense, with surfers pushing each other deeper in an attempt to claim the best waves.
Lucas, an experienced Pipeline regular, took off on a massive Backdoor wave—something he had successfully done countless times before. However, this time, he was positioned too deep to exit cleanly. The wave’s lip crashed down directly onto him, sending him into a violent impact with the water. The force of the wipeout was so severe that he was left unable to stay on his board, sparking immediate concern from those nearby.
A Frantic Rescue Effort
Recognizing that Lucas was seriously injured, multiple surfers in the lineup quickly paddled over to assist him. He appeared unable to move properly, raising fears of a major spinal injury. On the shore, legendary surfer Kelly Slater was seen sprinting toward the water, joining the effort to bring Lucas to safety.
North Shore lifeguards reacted immediately, deploying a jet ski and an ATV to aid in the rescue. However, the powerful whitewater and continued wave activity made it impossible for the ski to reach him directly. Instead, fellow surfers played a crucial role in keeping him afloat and bringing him closer to shore.
Once near the beach, a lifeguard carefully lifted Lucas from behind, stabilizing his head and neck to prevent further injury. He was conscious but clearly in significant pain as he was carried off the sand to an ambulance for further medical evaluation.
The Road to Recovery
Lucas was transported to the hospital, where it was confirmed that he had suffered a serious back injury. He remains in stable condition but will require spinal surgery. His talent in the water has long been recognized, as he consistently stands out among the elite Pipeline surfers, often securing some of the most critical and sought-after waves.
As he begins his recovery, the surf community has come together to support him. A GoFundMe has been launched to help cover his medical expenses, and those who wish to contribute are encouraged to do so. The focus now is on his healing and ensuring he gets the care needed to make a full recovery.