A Kiwi surfer is feared dead after disappearing into the waters off Australia’s west coast as search teams desperately continue to scour the ocean.
Aaron Beveridge, 47, was surfing at Main Break off Surfers Point in Prevelly, 275km south of Perth, in big waves on Friday afternoon.
It is understood Mr Beveridge became entangled in the Surgeon’s Table – an underground reef notorious for causing dangerous surfing accidents.
Mr Beveridge was one of several big wave surfers in the water using longboards fitted with long leg ropes for the elevated conditions.
However, witnesses reported seeing Mr Beveridge’s surfboard in the ‘tombstone’ position shortly before his leg rope broke.
Aaron Beveridge (pictured) is believed to have lost his life in storm surfing conditions on Friday
Mr Beveridge (pictured) was surfing at Main Break off Surfers Point in Prevelly when he went missing
The father of three has not been seen since.
Mr Beveridge was a regular big wave storm surfer and had been trained in specialist breathing techniques for emergency situations, but it is believed the ocean pressure was too strong for him to resurface.
A full sea search to find the 47-year-old had to be suspended due to the rough weather, but was expected to resume on Monday afternoon.
Several friends and relatives have shared online tributes to Mr Beveridge in the wake of his suspected death, including his parents.
“A mother’s worst nightmare this weekend,” wrote his mother, Cheryl Wilson.
‘My son Aaron James Beveridge was tragically taken out to sea while pursuing his passion for surfing in Margaret River, Western Australia.
‘I don’t understand what’s happening. Difficult to process.
“RIP Aaron. You were so loved by so many people, completely devastated.”
Father, Don Beveridge, said Mr Beveridge would be remembered as a ‘son, brother, father, friend’.
“Aaron went surfing at his favorite spot in Margaret River,” he said.
‘Unfortunately he never came back. Words cannot express the loss we are all feeling right now.”
A full sea search to find Mr Beveridge (pictured) had to be suspended due to rough weather but is expected to resume on Monday afternoon
Other loved ones described Mr Beveridge as a ‘great boy’ with a calm presence who was always willing to help his friends – whether that was in the water or in their personal lives.
“Rest in peace Aaron Beveridge, every time I came to the Margaret River region I usually saw you on the beach or at the skate park,” one person wrote.
“The city won’t be the same without your car and awesome dog parked in the parking lot while you go surfing.”
