American professional surfer Mikala Jones passed away following a deadly surfing mishap off the Mentawai Islands coast of Indonesia.
The 44-year-old Jones, a native of Hawaii, passed away, shocking the surfing world. He was adored as one of the greatest in the sport and celebrated for his prowess in riding breaking waves.
Social media was flooded with condolences soon after his passing was reported.
Uncertainty surrounds the cause of death.
Jones’ daughter Isabella announced her father’s passing on Sunday via Instagram.
She wrote, “Dad had a severe surfing accident and didn’t make it.
She also sent pictures of the two from their early years.
“You weren’t supposed to leave yet; I wish you were still here with us. This is too early, she penned.
By filming himself surfing inside massive waves that would loom above him just before crashing down, Jones gained a following among surfers.
Mikala was undoubtedly one of the most photogenic surfers of the twenty-first century, according to Surfline magazine. “Between his countless cover shots and video parts and his mesmerizing GoPro footage, Mikala was easily one of the 21st Century’s most photogenic surfers,” the publication claimed.
Social media was used by the competitive surfing community to express their condolences.
Mick Fanning, a three-time surfing World Champion, wrote: “So saddened to hear the news.
Surf photographer Brian Bielmann posted on Instagram, “He was a nice person and incredible artist, his GoPro photos were mind-blowing.
We’re going to miss him a lot.
In a statement honoring Jones, the clothing brand Reef, for which he had previously served as an ambassador, referred to him as “arguably one of the most barreled surfers on the planet” and a “contemporary surfing POV content creator ahead of his time.”
