Brazilian freesurfer Victor Bernardo and his wife, Johnni Bufkin Bernardo, are lucky to be alive after suffering serious injuries in a car crash “that easily could have been fatal.”
The wreck happened in Southern California on August 16, according to a post from surfing filmmaker Logan Dulien, though it’s unclear exactly where it took place.
“They were in a very serious car accident that easily could have been fatal but by the grace of god are still with us . Victor was airlifted to the hospital and his wife Johnni was taken in by ambulance,” 
Bernardo, 28, is a Brazilian surfer who has built his reputation largely outside the traditional competitive circuit, becoming known as a standout freesurfer, 
Specific details about how and where the crash occurred have not been released. Organizers said those details would remain private out of respect for the couple.
Both Bernardo and his wife are expected to remain out of work for at least six months to a year, organizers said.
“Their family, friends, and the surf community have all come together to care for them and none of it has gone unnoticed,” organizers said. “We hope to remove as much of the financial burden as possible as they navigate this life-changing journey to recovery.”
Just last month, Bernardo was announced as one of the surfers invited to compete in the 2026 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy.
At the time, Bernardo said he was particularly excited about bringing his mother along for her first international trip.
“What I’m most excited about is bringing my mum on her first international trip, enjoying our time together and having fun,” he said, according to The Inertia.
For now, however, Bernardo and his wife remain focused on recovering from injuries that their supporters say could have taken their lives.
“We know that they will get through this stronger than ever,” the fundraiser organizers wrote. “Thank you all for the love and support for these two absolutely amazing humans.”
