Kai McKenzie could have given up. No one would have blamed the professional surfer for tossing his board aside. But he didn’t. After an unfortunate altercation with a 10 to 15-foot shark, Kai hopped back into the water three months later. To understand why we think Kai is a hero, you have to know some of the back story.
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On July 23, while surfing at North Shore Beach in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Kai ran into the “biggest shark I’ve ever seen.” Kai’s right leg was severed above the knee. He returned to shore, where several people jumped in to provide first aid. Bystanders packed the recovered leg in ice, and it was transported to the hospital by ambulance with Kai.
Doctors could not reattach the leg, but they stabilized Kai and got him on the road to recovery. As an amputee, Kai had to relearn all the simple things like balance. He uses crutches and his remaining leg to walk. He was back in the water when he got clearance to return to surfing. His first excursion was returning to the place where the shark bit him.
Kai McKenzie’s attitude never wavered. He was ready to return to the water when his doctors allowed it. He admitted that he was fearful but wanted to conquer that fear. In his 23 years, Kai is no stranger to pushing the limits. His surfing style crosses traditional wave riding and shredding a halfpipe on a skateboard. His first outing was a bit wobbly on one leg, but it is only a matter of time before Kai McKenzie is back to ruling the waves. Push on, Kai.
Please share if you think Kai McKenzie is a hero.
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