"Safe travels and hopefully you are mowing more foam, and ripping again somewhere better."
It was reported here yesterday that a 26-year-old surfer was killed by a fatal shark attack a mile south of Manresa State Beach, very near Santa Cruz. He was surfing 100 yards from the shore, at about 1:30 in the afternoon, when the attack occurred and was pronounced dead at the scene from a leg injury.
Today, it was revealed that the surfer, Ben Kelly, was a local shaper.
Per his Ben Kelly Surfboards website:
I am a self-taught shaper bringing the core fundamentals of board building into a fresh new mindset and clean modern feel that works for you! I love the process of creating: taking something raw and formless and making it into something both functional and aesthetic. This involves working directly with surfers where they are at in their surfing journey and equipping them to take the next step.
Disbelief and sadness are being expressed on his Instagram account with fellow shaper at Route One Surfboards writing:
you were doing it brotha!!!! Your quick rise and hard work was inspirational and it is really hard to think that the central coast is all of a sudden going to have to move on without you. So much love to you and your family. Safe travels and hopefully you are mowing more foam, and ripping again somewhere better.
Capitola and surrounding beaches remain closed.