A beloved lifeguard and surf instructor, who once made appearances in Hollywood blockbusters like Pirates of the Caribbean and Blue Crush, tragically lost his life in a shocking shark attack on Oahu’s North Shore. What should have been a routine day in paradise turned into a devastating tragedy, leaving the surfing community and his loved ones heartbroken. Tamayo Perry, a 49-year-old waterman renowned for his exceptional skills at the iconic Pipeline surf break, was fatally injured in the attack, sending waves of sorrow across Hawaii. The haunting details of his final moments and the chilling discovery will leave you in disbelief.
Perry, a lifeguard with Honolulu Ocean Safety for eight years, was highly respected on the North Shore. His passing sparked an outpouring of grief, with Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi expressing his deepest condolences:
“It is with immense sadness that we mourn the loss of one of our incredibly dedicated City and County of Honolulu lifeguards, who tragically lost his life today in a shark attack on the North Shore. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and colleagues in Ocean Safety during this heartbreaking time.”
Blangiardi further highlighted Perry’s heroism: “He was the embodiment of courage, commitment, and selflessness, serving our community with an unwavering dedication. His tireless efforts to keep our residents and visitors safe will forever be remembered.”
According to the Honolulu Emergency Services Department, the tragedy occurred just before 1 p.m. on June 23, near Goat Island. Emergency services received reports of a surfer who had been “fatally injured” in a shark attack, suffering multiple bite wounds. Lifeguards rushed to the scene, bringing Perry’s body ashore via Jet Ski, but despite their efforts, paramedics declared him dead at the scene.
During a press conference, Acting Chief Kurt Lager of Honolulu Ocean Safety reflected on the profound loss: “Tamayo Perry was a lifeguard loved by everyone in our community.”
Through her grief, Perry’s wife and fellow surfer, Emilia Perry, shared her thoughts: “Though his passing is deeply tragic, he left this world doing what he loved, in the place he loved.”
Perry was celebrated for his remarkable talent at Pipeline, one of the world’s most famous surf breaks, located off Ehukai Beach Park on Oahu’s North Shore. His expertise was widely recognized, with Surfer magazine praising his skills and the Encyclopedia of Surfing noting his close friendship with musician Jack Johnson. Raised on Oahu’s east side, Perry and Emilia ran a surf school together, inspiring and mentoring young surfers in their community.
Tributes poured in from the surfing world as news of Perry’s passing spread. Legendary surfer Kelly Slater shared an emotional message: “This one is hard to believe… You truly lived the life you loved.”
Tamayo Perry’s passing is a tragic and irreplaceable loss to his family, friends, and the entire surfing community. Our deepest sympathies go out to his loved ones during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
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