Kalani David, a skateboarder and surfer from Hawaii, reportedly passed away on September 17 while surfing in Costa Rica.
After having a seizure in the water, the 24-year-old who suffered from Wolff-Parkinson-White disease passed tragically. An additional electrical route in the heart causes Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, which results in bouts of tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).
Although episodes of WPW syndrome are typically not life-threatening, they can occasionally result in sudden cardiac death. The syndrome is a congenital heart defect that is rather uncommon.
“Love you Kalani,” wrote close friend and photographer Peter King on Instagram. “Only God knows His timing. Life isn’t easy. Always battling. Always Learning. Heartbreaking News… He had a massive seizure while surfing. He had re-connected with family there [in Costa Rica] and was having such a great time. I’ll always remember your stoke when we’d shoot skate ‘n surf and how much hope you had for your future. God Bless the family and extended family who were always there for you.”
It was evident from an early age that Kalani David has a unique quality. He was already regarded as one of the world’s top skateboarders when he was just 14 years old. He was a skilled surfer who could compete with the best in the water.
AdvertisementView this post on InstagramAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement
“Kalani was one of the most talented surfer/skaters on Earth,” wrote Kelly Slater. “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.”
Advertisement
AdvertisementView this post on InstagramAdvertisementAdvertisement
It took Kalani David a long time to overcome Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. He experienced a seizure in August 2016 while rollerblading at an Oceanside, California park. After that, his condition continued to deteriorate, and just before Christmas of that same year, he experienced a six-hour seizure at his Oahu home that almost claimed his life. He underwent surgery in early 2017 to remove the excess muscle that had grown on his heart and was the source of the seizures after spending two days in a medically induced coma.
