Laurie Towner's Near Death Wipeout at Teahupoo

Almost a decade later, the historic Code Red swell at Teahupo’o is still the benchmark for next-level XXL tuberiding at the most demented reefbreak in the South Pacific. “This day, it had that feel that every wave was the wave of the day…” Laurie Towner tells Jamie Mitchell. And that’s the least horrifying memory he has of the place. After all, he nearly died during the filming of ‘Point Break’ at Teahupoo, which he also talks about here. Listen up.
Full episode: • Late Drop Big Wave Pod...
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[@williamlowe7718]

Is it me, or is Laurie one of the most laid back dudes around??

[@zavierorlos1948]

1:21 you know the conditions are gnarly, when the first thing you see are bodyboarders

[@MrJohanOne]

I think it was DAN RYAN wipeout

[@nathannewman7337]

old mates first reaction was to shake he's head in a negative manner towards the bodyboarder when he first heard him say it. Should of spoke with more respect for the bodyboarder probably. The guy towing him in ramana he was also a bodyboarder once upon a time. The dan ryan wipeout was a different swell.

[@nathannewman7337]

Funny that they're talking about him taking a stupid drop when jamies air drop at belhara was as silly or crazy as lauries cloudbreak drop. Props to that booger . And all gnar drops.

[@MrJohanOne]

@@nathannewman7337 you right ! I agree 100percent with your observation !

[@fiddlestickzmuzik]

Love the wipeout stories, anyone who has surfed for years knows that feeling and knows how it can scare the sht out of you, the ocean is THE greatest leveller.

[@MrAlbertg714]

The ocean heals and humbles!!

[@yvanpedron5255]

this guy is humble. and best surfer.

[@andrewb5412]

Laurie should be making a f load of cash he is one of the best to ever do it.

[@MrAlbertg714]

He’s gangster AF!! 💥💥💥

[@shaneclarry9549]

You got some big balls bro. Ya so humble and cool with it. Much respect.

[@jessepipia619]

I’m a little bummed that Surfline off-lined the Teahupo camera right before the opening swells then put them back on at 2 foot...I’m noticing this happening on a couple of others too

[@paulcombes3782]

Top job Jamie ,great interview . Laurie is such an awesome human , awesome surfer and an example of how the 'Pro Surfing Machine' is the antithesis of what surfing IS ! You guys are the real deal . Best wishes to you both.

[@Jasontoomire]

Hey Surfline awesome vid

[@lukebenbow4204]

What a great story, couple of legend's telling us mere mortals what's going on

[@pittchaser]

10:05 best insight into big wave surfing ive heard.

[@andrewp1075]

What the hell stabbed him through his neck? 😲😲😲 Fin? Jez, that's scary.

[@Jay-fq8uz]

Reef

[@phillipsteiner3581]

God bless Laurie Towner and his family.

[@surferdude8086]

Scraping the carotid artery is as close to death as you can get in that situation. Truly hardcore.

[@wsfwsf1497]

I dunno, ask Dr. McCoy, when he had Khan on a bed in sick bay, and told him to cut his carotid artery as it was the quickest way for a man to die.

[@Mexicantours]

Stay safe..just had myself ..my 3 rd close call in puerto Escondido...on the rocks ..punta... way out..

[@crispinalexander7550]

Really? What's your name buddy

[@Mexicantours]

@@crispinalexander7550 lucky...!

[@ryanmcdevitt9138]

Most underrated surfer ever only real surf fans know what a beast he is

[@edmccaffrey1]

If he had to do it all over again,he would do it again in a second. That's what makes Laurie Towner!#madrespect!

[@garymcaleer6112]

Back in the 60's my brother read the surfing magazines. There were big waves in those days too. We went to the beach where there were 3 ft. waves. But what my brother hadn't considered is how the waves were breaking on the beach. Not a good place to ride a wave. :^) My skinny legs were ill suited for surfing or downhill skiing. So I preferred round skimboards and cross-country skiing.

[@erickane7093]

Yes, years away from big surf, then jump back in like it was yesterday, and get majorly hurt. I’ve been there. 🌴😎 🌊won’t do that again! Got to take it slow!

[@Frisbieinstein]

It's amazing that they usually survive. I wonder how many deaths? Sports always keep such things quiet. It's bad for business.

[@graphenemusic5922]

What do they have against billabong that you had to tape the logos off the jetskis?!

[@antpoo]

They don’t want the sponsor to have anything to do with unsafe practice,or the chance of someone dying with Billabong logo for all to see. It’s a money and brand thing.

[@atreyuschronicles8589]

Teahupoo translates to "wall of heads". The legend and history of teahupoo let's you know that. For us mere mortals we can only imagine. Thank goodness all is well after this. But what an amazing wave that anyone can look at and know that there is something powerful going on there.

[@upsidedahead]

Absolute CHARGER

[@kirkdunn1379]

It's all ego, as long as humans are alive the "ego" will be in effect....but it also pushes people to do things maybe they wouldn't do in all aspects of life really.....but yeah ego is always a huge factor for people doing things in front of an "audience"

[@rchdb]

Captain obvious

[@Zepster77]

What??? "....something stabbed me through m'neck and come out m'mouth.." 9:24 what tf is he talking about??

[@aussie_philosopher8079]

Pretty cool conversation. I don't think the wave should be surfed it's too dangerous.

[@ypure3859]

That is terrifying .Towner glad u were lucky..phew

[@hoksipgau]

Serious??? Brah, God pretty much let you live.....nutz story

[@genewest8426]

Laurie is such a charger!!!

[@jacklittlefield55]

If tonton says it’s too dangerous, I’d believe him

[@tomcollier4089]

Ouch!

[@flbizowner9384]

Nothing compares to Rothmans wipeout

[@businesstradingrealestatev1616]

Coral through the neck... Game changer.

[@realbudgiesmugglertwohatsb2611]

Heard rabbit say he could of made that wave... Joe sez your my hero bugs...

[@LikeMonk]

Does nerds from Black rock co and pension funds rules Billabong to fire such a great surfer ?

[@CM-js6yy]

only the few.

[@marcellobugagiar4770]

Surfer culture is not humble in enough for helmets - not even the kids where helmets which of course learn from their parents who don’t where them - why? Helmets are for beginners .and who wants to look a beginner? .. too bad because the only exspert in the ocean is the ocean

[@0warami_7oo]

Not all are . Some wear helmets and that would keep them safer. Your right tho, it's the ego , "looks better without helmet" they reckon...

[@nicajacob]

Skip to 835

[@AtortAerials]

Anyone else click and think it was a girl wipeout story? 😂 Laurie is a guy now I know. :)

[@vaskylark]

Not me, because of the spelling. Girls spell it, Lori and I've known guys named Laurie before, along with Tracy and Stacey.

[@Jay-fq8uz]

I did then I noticed he’s Aussie, they usually have names like that.

[@shanemarz6742]

Laurie towner is a flog