Hawaiian surfer Mikala Jones has died at the age of 44 after an accident while surfing on Indonesia’s Mentawai Islands. He was known in the surfing world for his videos he shot through the breaking waves. The exact details surrounding his death are unclear.
Jones’ daughter, Isabella, wrote on Instagram that her “dad had a bad surfing accident and didn’t make it,” adding that she’s “so much in disbelief.” She paid tribute to her father, sharing photos with him from her childhood and wrote, “I wish you were still with us, you weren’t supposed to leave yet. This is too early.”
After Jones’ death, many from the surfing community took to social media to pay their respects. The clothing company Reef, for which Jones was previously an ambassador, issued a statement in his memory, calling Jones “a contemporary creator of surfing POV content ahead of his time” and “arguably one of the most susceptible surfers in the world.” called world”.
Surf photographer Brian Bielmann shared a photo of Jones on Instagram, writing: “Our friend Mikala Jones passed away yesterday at The Mentawais while surfing the waves he loved. I am so sorry and I send prayers to his family.”
Renowned surfer Kelly Slater, who holds 11 world surfing titles to his credit, responded to Bielmann’s post, writing: “Sobering moment. Perhaps no one has lived this life better. Incredible guy and surfer.”
Surfing legend Mick Fanning, who has won three world titles, shared a photo of Jones and himself on Instagram, writing: “So devastated to hear the news. Mikala, you were one of a kind.”
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