The surfing world has lost one of its top young talents. Kalani David, whose full name was Kalani David Feeney Barrientos, died Saturday, reportedly after suffering a seizure while practicing in Costa Rica. He was 24.
Kalani David, a surfer who was a former junior world surfing champion, suffered a seizure Saturday while practicing in Costa Rica and died, according to friends and authorities. https://t.co/ZsekQiotXj
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) September 21, 2022
Here’s more on what happened, from that story by USA Today’s Lorenzo Reyes:
David was surfing at Playa Hermosa in Jacó, a small town on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, when he died, the Organismo de Investigación Judicial – Costa Rica’s official investigative branch – confirmed to the Associated Press.
“He was surfing when he apparently suffered some kind of epileptic seizure and drowned,” they said in a message to The Associated Press. “The death is still under investigation.”
David had been diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which is a heart condition that can cause rapid heartbeats, paralysis and seizures.
David won the U16 category of the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Panama in 2012 when he was just 14, and also helped Hawaii to the team title that year. He went on to appear in a lot of surfing and skateboarding movies. His passing has sparked tributes from the surfing world, including from famed filmmaker and photographer Peter King:
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Here are some further tributes to David from the surfing world:
A quiet 20 year old who'd already clawed back from multiple life threatening illnesses came to my home during the @wsl margs contest and near on blew everyone out of the water. A crazy talent Kalani David rest easy legend. Your Humility and kindness will live on in others. RIP pic.twitter.com/qpdjeECXu8
— Kim Feast (@kimfeast) September 18, 2022
Hawaii surfing and skateboard prodigy Kalani David has died at 24. Kalani was surfing off the Costa Rican coast when it is believed he had a seizure related to Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Kalani and his talent will be missed in both the surf & skate communities. Aloha. pic.twitter.com/k8GRhb5vEV
— Wet Tribe (@WetTribe) September 18, 2022
Rest in Piece Kalani. Always a pleasure to be around❤️💔😔 One the most talented multi sport athletes in the world with a heart of gold! You are one of a kind, and going to be dearly missed by so many, say hi to the boys for me. Aloha Kalani David 🙏❤️🤙 pic.twitter.com/nbnxoDudkK
— Ryan Rawson (@NSB808) September 18, 2022
And here’s a clip of David surfing in Hawaii in 2015:
Our thoughts go out to David’s family and friends.
[USA Today; image from RCVA on YouTube]
