54 year old Australian surfer dies in the Mentawais

54-year-old surfer Ronald Schneider was killed in the Mentawai Islands on Tuesday after hitting his head on the reef. It’s not clear exactly which wave he was surfing, but reports have come in that it was off the south coast of Sipora Island, so it’s likely that it was either HT’s or Lance’s Left. Mr Schneider’s body has been taken to Padang and arrangements have been made to bring him home to Australia. Mr Schneider was a integral member of the Sawtell community (just south of Coffs Harbour), and an active member of the local boardriders. Sawtell Boardriders had this to say: “We will all miss you Ron. A great bloke who would do anything to help the club out. Our thoughts are with his family in this difficult time. God bless Ron.” Our thoughts go out to Ron’s friends and family.