Hollywood star Jason Momoa has shared details of a harrowing surfing accident that nearly cost him his life.
Appearing on the Smartless podcast, the Aquaman actor revisited a 2007 incident at one of the world’s biggest surf breaks, describing it as the moment that completely reshaped his perspective.
“We paddled like 13 miles down the coast, and I was about half a mile offshore when it happened,” recalled Jason. He explained that the dangerous spot, nicknamed “Stfks,” was notorious for its strong channels and enormous waves. “I was stuck in this wild place, waving my paddle, but my friends couldn’t see me—the waves were massive.”
The Game of Thrones star revealed that at the time, he thought of his then three-month-old daughter, Lola Lolani, whom he shares with Lisa Bonet. “I just lost it. My body gave out, I couldn’t move my arms anymore, and I sank down. Inside, I was screaming,” he said.
One of his friends eventually spotted him, but the ordeal was far from over. “My feet were covered in blood, and I was just paddling with everything I had left, thinking of my ancestors,” Jason shared.
The terrifying experience left a permanent mark. The Fast X actor admitted that he “gave up on life” in that moment but later realized it was a turning point. In fact, the scare helped him quit smoking. “I used to smoke two or three packs a day, and I couldn’t stop. But after that, I never touched another cigarette,” concluded Jason, crediting the ordeal for saving his health.