23/08/2026
Click the link and watch the YouTube video, there were some scary moments on this fishing trip and this could've easily ended far worse.
Kayaker’s Consecutive Capsizes Alone At Sea Caught On Camera | On a dark and stormy morning off the coast of Pompano, Florida, Sean Lawless was kayak fishing in a tournament when the weather turned, sending him into the water. What followed was one of the most harrowing kayaking close calls caught on camera.
Before the kayakers launched, each competitor’s kayak was examined by the Coast Guard for PFDs (lifejackets), signalling devices and visual distress symbols. Lawless opted for an inflatable PFD which can be seen secured around his waist.
“It’s looking pretty sporty out there right now,” said Lawless in the video before the surf launch at 6:45 a.m.
Lawless initially caught two fish within his first two hours of kayak fishing and kept a close eye on the radar, reporting that though the weather continued to appear threatening, the forecast had predicted the storm cell building to the south would dissipate. Despite the promise of the forecast, no such thing occurred and it wasn’t long before Lawless found himself in worsening conditions.
“Well, it didn’t dissipate,” narrated Lawless in the video. “It just got bigger and stronger. Looking at the radar now I decided it’s time to pack up and head in.”
Just as Lawless made the choice to head into shore, still about two miles from the beach and safety, conditions on the water began to deteriorate. Initially, Lawless planned to make a slow return to shore, trolling along the way.
“All that changed when I felt this big swell come up from behind, and I decided no more trolling, let’s get in,” narrated Lawless as in the video a large wave swept beneath his fishing kayak.
The conditions on the water worsened within minutes, with the waves and sky escalating from somewhat threatening to downright scary with whitecaps, foaming waves, wind and large rollers. Lawless estimated he had made it about a quarter-mile closer to shore – still well over a mile from the nearest landing point.
“This is where everything started to unravel,” said Lawless. Continue reading: https://bit.ly/49xmXVT
