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Tragically, Italian surfer Giulia Manfrini, aged 36, lost her life in unusual circumstances while surfing off the coast of Masokut Island in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia, on October 16, 2024. A swordfish leaped out of the water and struck her in the chest, causing a fatal injury.
The Incident
Witnesses said Manfrini was surfing when the swordfish—a fish with a long, sharply pointed bill—leaped out of the water and impaled her chest. Local officials reported that the wound was about five centimeters deep (about two inches). Despite initial attempts to revive her by her boyfriend and staff at the local resort, she was rushed to a nearby health clinic, where she died shortly after arrival, apparently from hypoxia, commonly associated with drowning.
A Life of Adventure
Manfrini was an avid surfer and a former professional snowboarder. Along with her business partner, she co-founded AWAVE Travel—a company dedicated to providing surfing and snowboarding experiences worldwide. Colleagues regarded her as the “lifeblood” of the company—a person capable of spreading an infectious passion not only for these sports but for life itself.
On the AWAVE Travel website, her biography reflects an adventurous spirit, noting that she traveled to over 45 countries and mastered six languages. Manfrini’s passion for surfing was evident in everything she did; she frequently shared her experiences on social media, expressing gratitude for the beauty of nature and the thrill of adventure. In a statement, AWAVE Travel emphasized that she “died doing what she loved, in a place that she loved,” revealing her profound admiration for both the ocean and her lifestyle of exploration. Her business partner, James Colston, shared, “Giulia had an incredible ability to make people fall in love with her smile, laughter, and boundless enthusiasm.”
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Community Response
The surfing world has been rocked by this tragic death, with friends, family, and fellow surfers remembering Manfrini for her vibrant spirit and passion for life. The mayor of her hometown, Venaria Reale, Fabio Giulivi, expressed his condolences on social media as the community mourned the loss of someone with big dreams in both surfing and travel.
Tributes have poured in on social media, reflecting her adventurous spirit and zest for life. One poignant tribute summarized her philosophy well: “You surfed through life and traveled the world doing what you loved most.”
Raising Awareness
This tragic event has raised public concern about interactions with wildlife in the sea. Swordfish attacks are extremely rare, with only one previously documented fatality in Hawaii in 2015. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the potential risks in extreme sports and ocean activities.
The surfing community is still coming to terms with this loss, which is even harder to bear following a recent spate of tragic incidents involving surfers. Just weeks before Manfrini’s death, another surfer died in an accident at Daytona Beach, Florida. With these successive incidents, many are reflecting on the inherent dangers that exist even in the most picturesque and peaceful settings, such as the ocean.
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Conclusion
The untimely loss of Giulia Manfrini is a huge blow not only to her family and friends but also to the broader surfing community, which admired her spirit and passion for the sport. As tributes continue to pour in from around the world, it’s clear that her legacy will live on through those she inspired. Her story serves as a reminder of the beauty and unpredictability of nature, highlighting the importance of safety awareness among adventure enthusiasts.
