Sadly, we have lost two of our bodyboarding brothers in recent weeks involved in separate incidents.  One fell victim to a shark attack in Austrailia, another was killed at Pipeline last month. Perhaps the most compelling story is that of Master at Arms 2nd Class Petty Officer Michael Anthony Monsoor, a heroic Navy Seal who in 2006, jumped on a grenade in Iraq in order to save his friends, taking his own life instead. Monsoor’s family recently received a medal of honor on his behalf. Our sincerest thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the families and friends of each who left us too soon.  Please take a moment to pay your respects.  May they rest in peace, and may they find endless perfect waves in heaven. God bless.

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4/8/08 Ramadi, Iraq

“When a grenade hit his body and landed near his feet on a rooftop in Ramadi, Iraq, Navy SEAL Michael Anthony Monsoor could have escaped in time. But in a move that doesn’t surprise people who knew him, Monsoor yelled “Grenade!” and jumped on the explosive. He died within a half-hour of suffering extensive injuries. His sacrifice saved the other service members that day – Sept. 29, 2006. For his heroism, Monsoor today will become the third Iraq war recipient of the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest distinction for combat valor. He also will be the first member of the Navy to receive the honor during the Iraq war….They said he liked to spend weekends body boarding in the ocean, spear fishing and riding his motorcycle.”
“Monsoor attended Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove, California. He played on the school’s football team and graduated in 1999. His hobbies included snowboarding, body-boarding, spearfishing, motorcycle riding, and driving his Corvette.”

Sign on San Diego

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4/8/08 Austrailia, NSW

“Peter Edmonds was about 50 yards from shore when the shark attacked around 8 a.m., lifeguard spokesman Stephen Leahy said.”  “Bodyboarder Brock Curtis-Matthew could get a bravery award after desperately trying to save his mate’s life when a boy was mauled to death by a shark on the NSW North Coast today…”

News.com/au

Dailymail.com/au

Courage: Brock Curtis-Matthew (right) with his friend Peter Edmonds who he tried to save

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3/18/08 Oahu, Hawaii

“Twenty-three-year-old bodyboarder Joshua Kalai Nakata, who by all accounts loved the ocean as much as he loved life, died Sunday after he apparently struck his head on the reef at the Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore…”
“His family believes he was careful. He just got caught in the wrong place in the waves. They hope his death will serve as a reminder of just how deadly the ocean can be even when you know the risks.”
“I know that he was doing what he wanted, what he loved to do and every time I look at the ocean I’ll see him out there,” said Joshua’s mom.”
“I know he’s up there and he can catch whatever wave he wants now,” said Joshua’s brother.”

StarBulletin.com