Jason Momoa'S Near-Drowning Experience: A Life-Changing Wake-Up Call

Facing the Real-Life Waves

Jason Momoa is no stranger to playing heroic roles on-screen, but his real-life encounter with danger was nothing short of a blockbuster. During a revealing chat on the Smartless podcast, the Aquaman star opened up about a terrifying surfing accident that nearly claimed his life back in 2007.

While tackling the notorious surf break known as "Jaws" in Maui, Momoa found himself in a life-threatening situation. The powerful 10-foot waves and fierce currents proved to be a formidable adversary, even for the seasoned actor. "We paddled like 13 miles down the coast," he shared, painting a vivid picture of the daunting journey. "I'm probably half a mile at that point offshore. And it's actually this place is called 'Stfks' because there's all this water that pulls out of a channel there [and] you just get hit with these waves."

A Father's Determined Spirit

The relentless swells pounded on, leaving Momoa stranded in a perilous spot with no escape in sight. Exhaustion took over, and he was on the brink of giving in. But thoughts of his young daughter, Lola Iolani, who was just three months old at the time, fueled his resolve. "I just lost it," he confessed. "My body stopped. Like I couldn't move my arms anymore, and I bubbled down. I literally gave up, and I'm screaming inside."

"My feet are covered in blood, and I'm just literally [with] my ancestors just paddling the rest of this way, head down," Momoa remembered.

His surfing partner eventually spotted him, but their ordeal was far from over. Strong currents continued to pull them further from the shore, and they lost their boards amidst the chaos.

Turning the Tide

Reaching land was a moment of immense relief for Momoa, but the experience left a lasting impact. "Like, I just died. I tried and tried, but I couldn't do it again because I just gave up. Like, I gave up my life," he recalled.

This brush with death also became a catalyst for change. At that time, Momoa was battling a smoking habit, consuming up to three packs a day. Despite previous attempts to quit for his children and partner Lisa Bonet, it was this harrowing experience that finally pushed him to kick the habit for good. "I used to smoke two, three packs a day. I couldn't stop for my kids, I couldn't stop for my ex... [but] the moment I came out, I never smoked again," he declared.

Momoa's story is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the strength we can summon in the face of adversity.