Freediver Werner At ‘Surf Talk Story’

Oahu spearfisher and freediver Kimi Werner will be the focus of Surfer The Bar’s Surf Talk Story, set for 8 p.m. Thursday at Turtle Bay Resort.

The award-winning and wide-traveling sportswoman, now 33, earned recent fame from a video of her swimming with a great white shark in Mexico. It first aired in early May and was viewed by thousands.

Despite the thrill of the experience, the 2008 U.S. National Spear Fishing champion knows it was a unique experience, and she doesn’t want to encourage others to try it. “I really enjoyed making that video,” Werner told Hawaii News Now, “not because I wanted to sensationalize the shark ride, but because I wanted to tell a special story and try to send out a positive message.”

Cover charge for the Talk Story night is $5, with proceeds going to Paepae o Heeia, a nonprofit organization working to restore Heeia Fishpond.

Musician Josh Sharpe will entertain after the session with Werner. For more information, call 293-6000.