Former surf champion Mikala Jones dies in surfing accident. What do we know?
A two-time amateur surfing national champion, Jones was known as much for his breathtaking photos and videos, as his prowess on the surfboard.
The passing of the Hawaiian surfing star is being mourned by many more than just those who belong to the sport. Indeed, many the world over will remember Jones for the incredible photos and videos that he captured from the inside of massive waves.
Mikala Jones dies in a surfing accident
Tragedy struck on Sunday, as reports confirmed the death of Hawaiian surfing star Mikala Jones. Recognized not just for his skills on the break, but also for his world-renowned photographs, Jones died in a surfing accident in Indonesia. He was 44 years old.
Regarding what exactly happened, reports indicate that Jones was surfing near the Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia on Sunday when his surfboard fin cut his femoral artery, the major blood vessel that supplies blood to your legs and runs along the inner thigh. “He was a humble artist,” his father, John Jones, said. “His pictures were incredible.”
Remembering Mikala Jones
Growing up in a place like Kailua, Hawaii, it’s no surprise that Jones’ first forays into surfing came in early childhood. Indeed, by the age of 12, he was already beginning to enter competitions having clearly found his calling. He would go on to win two national championships as an amateur, at which point he began to travel the world surfing with a number of sponsors. Jones would make frequent appearances in magazines, advertisements, and other surf-related channels. Yet, perhaps what truly brought him to the attention of the wider public were his photos and videos. From his initial posts of himself surfing on Instagram, to when he began to attach a GoPro camera to his board, Jones began to give a new and unique perspective of the sport.
A Father’s Lament
Sadly, Jones’ father couldn’t hide his sense of regret as he admitted that he often tried to get his children and others to wear wetsuits, helmets, and other protective gear while surfing. He even explained that surfers are frequently told to use sandpaper to dull the edges of their boards in the event that the fin gets too sharp. “But they’re stubborn, you know?” John Jones said. Mikala Jones is survived by his wife, Emma, and their two daughters.