One Of New Zealand’s Top Surfers Died While Surfing On The Weekend - Stab Mag

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One Of New Zealand’s Top Surfers Died While Surfing On The Weekend

Jamie Civil, age 35, passed away after surfing ‘huge waves’ at Aramoana Beach.

elsewhere // Mar 28, 2022
Words by Ethan Davis
Reading Time: < 1 minute

One of NZ’s top surfers, Jamie Civil passed away while surfing on the weekend. His partner and baby daughter were at the scene when he died while surfing at Aramoana Beach.

On Saturday, March 26, Civil had just finished competing in the 35th annual Herb and Paro Surf Contest at Aramoana Spit in New Zealand when he decided to paddle back out for a free surf. According to witnesses, Jamie dropped in on a big wave and was pulled under. 

The New Zealand Herald reported he was taken in from the water and given medical attention. Police, ambulance services, and a helicopter were called at 2:30 p.m. Despite their best efforts, he was unable to be revived. 

Jamie leaves behind his partner Courtney and 6-month-old daughter Lenni. A Givealittle page set up for the young Dunedin family by The South Coast Boardriders Association. It has raised $48,000 since it was posted.

The association said New Zealand’s surfing community had lost “one of its most respected surfers”.

“These were the conditions he lived for, and was talented and experienced with and thrived in, making the tragedy so much harder for people to process. Jamie’s partner Courtney and their baby daughter Lenni were at the beach when the incident happened. Jamie loved them both dearly. They had become a perfect part of his world and he loved the beautiful life they created and were building for their future.”

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