Nathan Florence Survives Dengue Fever After Surfing Heavy Reef Pass

Originally posted on SURFER | By August Howell | Last updated Aug 30, 2025 5:03 PM ET

Like Puerto Escondido over reef. That’s how Nathan Florence described these shifting, lurching and pristine barrels unloading somewhere in the South Pacific. During his stint on this tropical island, which happened during the XL Tahiti swell, Nathan linked up with Aaron Gold and Kohl Christensen, two veterans in the big wave game who just happened to be on the island for a family vacation with step-ups in tow.

With the south swell pulsing, the trio paddled out to a huge wave neither of them had surfed before. Nathan called it proper 12 to 15 feet on the sets. Adding to the intrigue is the alarming water quality. It’s clear as glass, with that special shade of tropical blue. It also provides a window into the reef below, so the surfers know what’s beneath them as they stroke into the bombs.

Even by their standards, it’s a challenging but surreal session. But Nathan’s battle was just beginning. After the session, he came down with a nasty case of dengue fever. The viral infection caused by infected mosquitoes left Nathan bedridden for six days, dehydrated and down bad. According to the World Health Organization, death by dengue is rare, with symptoms lasting for two to seven days. But the symptoms take a toll. Nausea, vomiting, headaches and fever upwards of 104 °are common.

The disease is reportedly on the rise due to warming climates, and is spiking in Pacific island nations. According to The Guardian, “Pacific Island countries and territories have reported 16,502 confirmed cases and 17 deaths since the start of 2025, according to the Pacific Syndromic Surveillance System (PSSS), which collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other agencies. Infections across the region are at the highest level since 2016, the WHO said. Fiji, Samoa and Tonga are among the worst affected.”

Heavy stuff and worth taking precautions on your next surf trip. Fortunately, Nathan survived the ordeal and is on the mend. He even caught the tail end of Hurricane Erin at Mullaghmore. No damned dengue in Ireland.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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