HONOLULU (AP) -- A professional bodyboarder says he thought a surfer he pulled from the water at Hawaii's Pipeline surf spot was dead.
Bodyboarder Andre Botha told The Associated Press on Tuesday that pro surfer Evan Geiselman's eyes were rolled back, his face was dark blue and his body was limp when he finally reached the 22-year-old surfer from New Smyrna Beach, Fla., who fell while riding a big wave on Sunday.
Photographer Matt Castiglione, who was filming Botha, captured video of the rescue. The footage shows Botha losing his grip on the surfer several times as waves continued to crash over the two.
Botha was giving Geiselman rescue breaths and chest compressions in the water.
Castiglione said lifeguards helped bring the surfer to shore, where Geiselman spit up "buckets and buckets" of water.
Can't thank everyone enough for the love and support! I'm feeling a lot better. Its overwhelming love you all and thank you ????
— Evan Geiselman (@Evangeiselman) December 8, 2015
A quick update posted by Eric:
Posted by Evan Geiselman on Monday, December 7, 2015
