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Hawaiian surfer Kalani David, a former world junior surfing champion, died in Costa Rica on Saturday after suffering a seizure in the water, according to multiple reports. He was 24.
“He was surfing when he apparently suffered some kind of epileptic seizure and drowned,” Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department told the Associated Press. “The death is still under investigation.”
David’s younger brother, Keoni, reportedly shared the following message to his Instagram story: “You are the best brother I could ever ask for. I will miss you Kalani.”
David had a congenital heart condition known as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which can trigger a rapid heartbeat and seizures. The surfer, who is also an accomplished skateboarder, underwent heart surgery six years ago.
Prior to the surgery, David said in a 2016 interview with Stab magazine, “If it was life or death, and I had to choose skating or surfing, I’d choose death.”
David has been open about his experiences suffering seizures through the years.
“I was skating with @max_jenson @tonechapo @travisrivera and all of a sudden I went into a seizure, fell on my face and woke up in an ambulance also my heart stopped,” David wrote on Instagram at the time. “I had 3 seizures after that when I got to the hospital. So grateful to be alive!”
According to multiple reports, legendary surfer Kelly Slater shared a photo of David to his Instagram, and paid tribute to the late surfer, writing, “@KalaniDavid trying my board as a little kid.
“Kalani was one of the most talented surfer/skaters on Earth,” Slater wrote. “Constantly pushing the limits every time he was on his feet. Condolences to the huge community of friends Kalani had coast to coast and across the globe.”
In 2012, David won a gold medal at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Panama.
David grew up surfing and skating, according to his X-Games bio, which states that he could be considered a seasoned veteran at the age of 14.
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