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As a big wave surfing legend, Kai Lenny sure must have seen some interesting things. Lenny has made big waves his passion, and this passion is not free of danger. If one wants to ride the big waves, one has to pay the price. This price might be broken bones, broken surfboards, or broken jet skis. The latter most happened with Kai Lenny, as he lost a beloved jet ski to the harsh tow at Jaws.

The waves were particularly harsh, and of course, Lenny was riding them. Despite immediate rescue efforts by his team members, while Kai Lenny was unscathed, his jet ski suffered horrifically due to the rocky terrain surrounding the beach.

Kai Lenny devastated as jet ski destroyed by rocks

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Recently, while surfing at jaws, Lenny took an awkward fall while attempting to pull through the back of a 25-foot wave. His rescue team rushed to help him, but the next wave was too near and they ended up getting engulfed in the formidable force of the water. In a YouTube video posted by Lenny on his official channel, he said, “…came in for the rescue, it was going to be a really tight pickup. The foam was really deep and soon as I was on the sled I just heard the engine screaming and no traction going through the impeller.” 

Read more: “I Mute Your Videos Nowadays”: While Big Wave Legend Kai Lenny Fires Up a Rare Wave, Surf Fandom Stands Divided on the Aesthetics

Lenny then realized that they would not make it out of the first wave before the second wave hit them. He said, “That wave was creeping in on us, and I was just gonna hold on and hold that as it shot us out. But, before I knew it, I was flying past the jet ski and Ola hit a chop and we were sent into oblivion.” His backup security personnel picked him up and took him to safety.  “Fernandez picked me up on our backup safety ski and Slater trout grabbed the ola in the white water.”

When Lenny spotted the jet ski, he tried to save it, but to no avail. “We spotted that it was on the rocks and before my board ended up in the rocks, I jumped in the water real quick to grab it because I’m gonna lose this ski I’m not gonna lose my magic toeboard either.”

While he managed to save his board, the jet ski, unfortunately, was too far gone and damaged for him to risk his life. He said, “It’s just so devastating to see something you take such good care of and love so passionately… your jet ski getting absolutely obliterated on the rocks.” He then went on to add an ominous statement saying, “Jaws takes what’s hers.” Then he proceeded to do what any well-off surfer would do for a damaged jet ski.

Helicopter retrieves the remains of the jet ski

Lenny’s jet ski was violently thrown into the rocks and was so damaged that the engine got dislodged from the mount. Therefore, Kai Lenny called in a helicopter to assist in the rescue of the carcass and retrieve the mangled mess. Lenny was hopeful for the helicopter to come as soon as possible so that the jet ski was not stranded among the rocks the entire night. Otherwise, the ski would be torn into million little pieces.

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After the ordeal, Kai Lenny realized that he might have chosen the wrong day to surf the Jaws. The waves were brutal and even surviving them was difficult, let alone doing some surfing. Finally, the helicopter came and lifted the remains of the ski to safety so that whatever was left of the mess could be salvaged.

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