Last Saturday Jamie Civil died while surfing solid waves at Aramoana Spit. He'd been surfing in the South Coast Boardriders 35th annual Herb and Parro Memorial comp. After his heat he paddled out and joined other free surfers on the next peak over, it was 6 to 8 foot. About 50 people were on the sand for the event, including Jamie's wife Courtney and their 6 month old daughter Lenni. I'm not going to speak out of turn and pretend I knew Jamie. I know a lot of people that know Jamie and Courtney. Including my cohort Warren Hawke, who shot this cover shot of Jamie for the most recent book we have done together. It was Warren that told me on Saturday afternoon what had happened.
The word tragedy doesn't even cover the loss of a loved partner and father. I cannot image the turmoil and pain Courtney is in. What speaks to Jamie's mana is the rallying of our New Zealand surfing community around his family. Photographers like Warren have quickly, freely given their images of Jamie to help with media and the Give- A- Little pages. The Give A Little pages; well, in a time like this of such loss here's a heartening moment. There are two Give A Little pages set up for Courtney and Lenni, one by South Coast Boardriders and another by relatives of Courtney's. I believe both hoped to reach $30,000 to help Courtney with funeral costs and the future. At the time of this post going out over $130,000 has been donated. I just think you guys are amazing.
The South Coast Give A Little page is HERE