Gerard Butler Involved in Surfing Accident
Gerard Butler is unharmed and recovering after a potentially dangerous surfing accident occurred while the film star was shooting scenes for an upcoming movie at a famed northern California surfing spot.
On Sunday, Butler, 42, was filming a scene for the upcoming movie “Men of Mavericks” about a young surfer from Santa Cruz, Jay Moriarty, who conquered Mavericks as a teen but died in a free-diving accident in 2001 when he was 23.
The scene required Butler to paddle out with professional surfers Greg Long, Zach Wormhoudt, and Peter Mel when the group encountered a series of larger than expected waves on the inside of the break.
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"They were steering clear of a set of waves in the 15-foot range when a much larger set loomed and broke in front of the four of them," Wormhoudt told local media.
As the bigger waves broke on top of them Butler was held underwater for two waves and washed through some rocks while tethered to his surfboard, according to Wormhoudt. A safety patrolman on a jet ski was able to locate Butler and take him ashore where he eventually left for the hospital.
The surfers told local media that they had discussed with Butler what to do if that situation occurred. Wormhoudt told the AP that Butler was not doing anything that could put himself in harm’s way while he was in the water.
“Everything he was doing was within reason,” Wormhoudt said. “We took like four to five pretty big waves on the head. Basically there’s nothing you can do."
Mavericks is considered one of the most dangerous areas to surf in the world due to its cold water and waves that can reach several stories. The surfing spot has claimed many lives including some top professional surfers. In 1994, Mark Foo, a seasoned big-wave surfer from Hawaii, died while surfing Mavericks.
