The near-death experience that made Jason Momoa give up smoking

Health & FitnessLifestyle
12 Aug 2025 • 6:54 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Jason Momoa has shared details of a near-fatal surfing incident that took place off the coast of Maui, Hawaii, around 2007.
  • While surfing with Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama, his surfboard leash snapped, leaving him stranded almost a mile offshore in large waves.
  • Momoa appeared on Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett’s Smartless podcast, where he recounted being battered by 10-foot waves and nearly giving up hope before finding a temporary anchor point.
  • He was eventually rescued by Hamilton after about 10 minutes, then endured a brutal paddle to safety with bleeding feet.
  • The traumatic experience served as a catalyst for Momoa to immediately kick his two to three pack a day smoking habit for good.

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