Mikala Jones, a 44-year-old American surfer, died over the weekend in a freak accident while surfing in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia.
According to Jones’ father, a surfboard fin cut his son’s femoral artery, leading to a fatal injury. His daughter, Isabella Jones, posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, saying that she was in “so much disbelief” and that her father was “supposed to leave yet.”
“Life will never be the same without you,” Isabella wrote.
Tributes for Jones, who won two national championships as an amateur before traveling the world, poured in from the surfing community on social media.
It is with a heavy heart that we have to share the sad news that we unfortunately lost our beloved
Mikala Jones
Surfer ‘Mikala Jones’ Dies | Hawaiian legend Dead in horrific Death While Surfing🕊
👇👇https://t.co/eEEXUy9Kw2 pic.twitter.com/EBG6UBnAC1— DXB MEDIA (@wizy_mos) July 9, 2023
Brian Bielmann, a renowned surf photographer, said: “Our friend Mikala Jones passed away yesterday in The Mentawais while surfing the waves he loved. He was a wonderful person, an incredible artist, his Go pro photos were mind-blowing. …. We’re gonna miss him so much.” He added that, although Jones had packed a lot into his 44 years, “he was loved by many and will never be forgotten.”
Jones was known for shooting stunning photos and videos of himself in the unforgiving ocean waves. “He was a humble artist. His pictures were incredible,” his father said of Jones.
Surfline.com reported that Jones suffered a four-inch wound to his left groin, likely from a surfboard fin, at around 9:15 a.m. Sunday near the Awera Resort.
Isabella posted on Instagram that she wishes she could have shared one more hug with her father, adding: “I’m happy he was doing what he loved the most.”
Jones leaves behind a legacy of courageous surfing that will not be forgotten.
