Aquaman’s Jason Momoa Reveals He Nearly Drowned While Surfing

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Jason Momoa may have played the king of Atlantis. 

In actuality, the actor who plays Aquaman has personally witnessed the ocean’s raw, uncontrollable might. To illustrate, just 18 years back, Jason had a harrowing encounter with near-drowning while surfing near Maui’s “Jaws” – a nickname given due to the gigantic and formidable waves that this coastline produces.

He mentioned that we embarked on a 14-mile long paddle session, accompanied by Dave Kalama, Joe Flanigan, and Laird Hamilton during the Aug. 11 episode of Smartless. At around the seventh mile mark, my leash broke loose.

Jason mentioned that he quickly misplaced his surfboard and “ended up taking several large waves directly onto his head,” pointing out that the waves had grown up to 10 feet high.

He clarified that the location is named “Sharks,” due to the abundance of water that can sweep you away and slam you with strong waves. In this instance, he found himself in a chaotic position, likely near the outer reef, unbeknownst to him. They couldn’t spot him from their vantage point.

During this intense battle to keep his head above water, Jason mentioned that it reminded him of his daughter, Lola Momoa, who is now eighteen and shares a past with his ex-partner, Lisa Bonet. Approximately two years after that relationship, they welcomed their son Nakoa-Wolf Momoa into the world.

Jason went on to say, “I peeked inside and felt an overwhelming emotion – at that moment, my daughter was only three months old, and I couldn’t help but feel completely overwhelmed.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I found myself navigating through the unknown to reach Jason, who had been stranded. Approaching him stealthily from behind, I handed over his surfboard – a moment of relief after hearing about his harrowing ordeal. Earlier, he shared with me the chilling details of how he narrowly escaped drowning.

He remembered feeling frozen, unable to move his arms further. Then, he sank downward, and his foot accidentally touched the edge of the coral reef. It felt as though he had surrendered completely, and although silent on the outside, he was struggling internally.

It was that small shelf of rock that ended up being his salvation.

I quickly dip down, seize it, then leap into the air, only to be struck by another wave. With my body pinned against the coral, I found myself struggling in the heart of the ocean,” the 46-year-old explained further. “Barely able to lift my lips above water for a breath, I was gasping for respite. In that moment, I had resigned myself, feeling as though I’d met my end but somehow managed to continue living. I clung desperately to the side of the reef.

Despite enduring a tough and tiring journey, they both managed to reach the shore. However, this experience left Jason unaffected.

He stated that he had been a heavy smoker, consuming around two to three packs daily, a habit he found impossible to break, not even for his children or ex-partner. However, once he left that environment, he never picked up smoking again, as if he had suddenly lost the desire or ability to continue.

And looking back at the ordeal, Jason doesn’t think he was alone out there in that water.

He stated that he was continuing his journey with his ancestors, rowing for the remainder of the way. He also mentioned seeking guidance from his grandmother and grandfather.

For more celebrities who have detailed terrifying physical challenges, keep reading.

During a July 2025 wrestling match, the former participant of Total Bellas disclosed that following an elbow strike from fellow WWE star Piper Niven, one of her breast implants moved out of its original position.

She reassured her sister Bella Garcia then, “Everything is alright.” She added, “We’ll sort it out someday. I informed the doctor, ‘As soon as my boots are off, I’m coming back to you, and together we’ll ensure these girls look fabulous. These girls will have their time in the spotlight, and it’s crucial that they don’t look like that.’

In 2014, I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids – these are non-malignant growths that can appear within or near the uterus. Interestingly, this diagnosis came the very same year I triumphed at the Oscars for my role in “12 Years a Slave.

Yet, it was only in the year 2025 that she revealed her condition, sharing on Instagram that she had endured “silent suffering” for over a decade prior to this disclosure.

In simpler terms, she expressed that when girls go through puberty, they are often made to believe that having menstrual cramps is just an inevitable aspect of being female. This struggle is experienced individually by many women, as it significantly impacts their daily lives.

 

In July 2025, the lead singer of Daisy Jones & The Six announced that she was admitted to the hospital due to a hernia, which is an issue with the muscular wall often occurring in the abdomen or groin region, as a result of regularly wearing tight-fitting trousers.

She posted on X, the platform once known as Twitter, saying, ‘You don’t tweet anymore.’ She then added, ‘Remember when I wore such tight pants 6 months ago that I ended up with a hernia? I’ve been too nervous to mention it to you.’

In April 2025, an alumnus of the show “Beverly Hills, 90210” shared that he was recuperating following an appendix surgery, as it had almost ruptured.

A week ago, I began experiencing discomfort in my abdomen,” Brian explained in an Instagram video, “which led me to the emergency room where it was discovered I had an inflamed appendix, not yet ruptured but very close.

He added, “I’m on the road to recovery. It’s not an easy process. This is my first major surgery.”

Adam Devine revealed that the injuries he suffered at age 11, following an accident with a cement truck, continue to impact him up until now.

In a 2025 episode of the “In Depth With Graham Bensinger” podcast, Devine expressed that it’s been a very difficult time for him. He explained that he has been experiencing spasms throughout his body. Previously, doctors had told him that he was close to death, specifically within the last year.

He mentioned that pain appears intermittently, also expressing, “There are certain quirks and issues with my body that aren’t quite right.

Previously seen on Bachelor Nation, this individual revealed that he had to visit the hospital by crawling on hands and knees because of intense back pain which worsened during a recreational vehicle journey with a companion.

He expressed on his Trading Secrets podcast in March 2025 that his toes to knees are still experiencing an unusual tingling sensation, which he found surprising. To give some context, let me clarify, he doesn’t intend to sound arrogant, but about three weeks or a month ago, he was squatting around 295 pounds. Currently, he’s unable to do even a single-legged squat without falling over. It’s as if he suffered a stroke or something similar.

But with the help of a back specialist and some steroids, he added, “We’re on the mend.”

In the spring of 2025, I, Gina Kirschenheiter from Real Housewives of Orange County, experienced a harrowing moment when my ex-husband, Matt Kirschenheiter, endured a heart attack. Fortunately, he pulled through this challenging situation.

In the bustling cityscape of New York, as I was cheering on my beloved Knicks during a riveting game in March 2025, an unexpected health concern arose, causing me to be gently ushered from the hallowed grounds of Madison Square Garden.

On the next day, the comedian posted an update on social media, explaining it was a bout of food poisoning and expressing that he was recovering well.

In the month of February, 2025, I found myself sharing an experience that was both unexpected and profound. While celebrating my beloved husband Brendan Rooney’s birthday on a trip, I encountered an unusual situation: I was accidentally shot in the face while participating in a clay pigeon shooting event.

She posted on Instagram that there was another group with us who accidentally discharged their firearm in a dangerous manner, hitting me in the face. @thebrendanrooney swiftly responded, evaluated my injuries, and rushed me to the hospital. I sustained wounds in five locations; one was just inches away from striking my right eye directly.

The former star of “Kim Possible” added, “Regrettably, a piece became stuck near my eye, and it’s not safe to extract it through surgery right now. However, doctors are keeping a close watch on me, and I can see fine for now.

The actress expressed her deep gratitude for still being alive. She emphasized how much she cherishes her daughters, husband, family, and friends. Sharing an emotional moment, she revealed that she had a near-death experience where she saw her life pass before her eyes. With a heartfelt message, she urged everyone to seize every opportunity to embrace the people around them because life can suddenly take unexpected turns.

In my own words as a dedicated follower: Although the internet can sometimes be harsh, I’m grateful it provided me with valuable insights during a challenging time. Reflecting on an episode of Call Her Daddy in January 2025, I remember feeling a wave of concern when people started commenting about my altered appearance. To my surprise, medical professionals joined the conversation and suggested that I might be experiencing Cushing syndrome due to elevated cortisol levels or steroid injections.

As I delved deeper into the comments, it dawned on me that I had indeed been receiving steroid injections as part of my recovery from surgeries like a breast reduction and a C-section. This realization led me to understand that I had developed a form of Cushing syndrome, which may have gone unnoticed if not for the internet’s scrutiny.

Now, having received a diagnosis and learning that my body would eventually heal on its own, I am incredibly relieved. As I shared in a February 2024 News Not Noise newsletter, discovering that I was healthy was the best news I could have hoped for.

During a game in December 2024, an AHL player got 25 stitches after being accidentally sliced by another player’s skate. Later, when the player had fully healed, his father, who is the general manager of the New Jersey Devils named Tom Fitzgerald, expressed gratitude to ESPN, saying, “We consider ourselves fortunate. I wouldn’t want something like that happening to any parent.

Hailey Bieber had a terrifying experience in March 2022 during breakfast with her husband Justin Bieber, when she suddenly developed symptoms similar to a stroke. As she struggled to respond and speak properly, the right side of her face drooped. After this episode passed, she went to the hospital for checks and was diagnosed with a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), caused by a small blood clot in her brain. Further investigations revealed that Hailey had a hole in her heart called patent foramen ovale (PFO). The blood clot had traveled into her heart, escaped through the hole, and reached her brain, causing the TIA. After a successful PFO closure procedure, Hailey is now feeling well.

In the same year as Hailey’s health scare, Justin also faced a health challenge when he was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. This rare condition led to temporary paralysis in parts of his face, causing him to postpone the rest of his Justice World Tour. Justin explained on Instagram that the virus attacked the nerve in his ear and facial nerves, causing facial paralysis. At the time, he was unable to blink one eye, smile on one side of his face, or move one nostril. He also mentioned it became increasingly difficult for him to eat. However, after some time, the paralysis subsided. Hailey later shared on Good Morning America that Justin is doing well and recovering nicely from the sudden and alarming situation.

Jamie Foxx first chose to keep his April 2023 hospitalization a private matter, but later revealed his experiences during his 2024 Netflix special titled “What Had Happened Was…”. In Atlanta, the Academy Award winner recalled, “I had such a severe headache that I asked my friend for an aspirin. Before I could take it, I fainted and lost consciousness for about 20 days.”

Initially examined by a doctor who administered a cortisone shot and sent him home, his worried sister Deidra Dixon then drove him to the hospital where they discovered the source of his symptoms: a brain bleed that resulted in a stroke. After undergoing surgery on the 20th day, Foxx woke up May 4 in a wheelchair and was unable to walk. He subsequently traveled to Chicago for rehabilitation and therapy.

“All I can say is that I am grateful for every prayer,” he expressed, “as I truly needed them all.

In 2019, actress Emilia Clarke, famously known for her role in Game of Thrones, penned an essay entitled “A Battle for My Life” in The New Yorker. Describing an incident at the gym, she recalled experiencing severe vomiting and worsening pain that suggested brain damage.

Rushed to the hospital for a scan, she was diagnosed with a life-threatening type of stroke called subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by bleeding around her brain. She underwent immediate surgery to seal the aneurysm, which she described as agonizing. During recovery, she struggled with aphasia, speaking nonsensical words.

A week later, the aphasia subsided, and she was discharged from the hospital a month after being admitted. However, in 2013, during a routine brain scan, it was discovered that the growth had doubled in size, necessitating another surgery. “When they woke me,” she wrote, “I was screaming in pain. The procedure had failed. I had a massive bleed, and the doctors made it clear that my chances of survival were critical if they didn’t operate again. This time they needed to access my brain through my skull.”

Fortunately, Emilia stated that she is now fully recovered and in perfect health.

Snoop Dogg’s daughter, Cori Broadus, expressed her gratitude towards her family following a severe stroke she suffered in January 2024. Upon learning about the incident, her loved ones quickly rushed to support her. “I informed them via text and sent a picture,” she shared with TopMob News correspondent Will Marfuggi in December 2024. “Everyone came to my aid.”

Due to additional health complications, Cori’s hospital stay extended beyond what she had anticipated initially. “I could have been discharged after the stroke,” continued the star of ‘Snoop’s Fatherhood: Cori and Wayne’s Story’, “but my lupus wasn’t in good shape. My kidneys were failing, and there was a lot happening.”

Today, Cori is recovering well. “I am doing great,” she added. “I just needed to regain some motor skills, but otherwise, I was fine.

During her twenties, the actress Shailene Woodley‘s health took a toll, leading to various complications such as hearing loss, fatigue, stomach problems, and more. These issues were puzzling, with different doctors providing conflicting diagnoses and treatments.

In an attempt to find answers, Shailene, with her background in holistic medicine and herbalism, sought help from both conventional medical professionals and independent healers. This quest for healing took a decade of trial and error.

During this time, the struggle with physical discomfort affected her mentally, leading to fears about food, body dysmorphia, identity confusion, and feelings of insecurity within herself.

However, after addressing both her physical and mental health issues, Shailene is now feeling much better and proudly shares that she’s healthy once again.

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2025-08-13 15:17