The South African surfing community is mourning the death of Thys Lombard, who suffered a medical emergency while competing in the Vintners Surf Classic at Jongensfontein on Friday.
Lombard, 61, from Stellenbosch, was surfing in the 26th annual Vintners Surf Classic when he collapsed unconscious in the water at Sandstrand, Jongensfontein.
Fellow surfers immediately came to his assistance, bringing him through the surf and onto the beach. CPR was started on the shoreline while emergency services were alerted.
Emergency Response at Jongensfontein
NSRI Still Bay was called to the scene, while the rescue craft Breede Rescuer, which was already on the water near the surfing competition, diverted to assist.
Two NSRI crew members swam ashore from the rescue craft and joined the CPR efforts already underway.
Additional NSRI crew, NSRI medics and Western Cape Government Health EMS paramedics also responded and continued efforts to resuscitate Lombard.
Despite extensive attempts to save him, he was declared deceased at the scene.
Police attended, and his body was taken into the care of the Government Health Forensic Pathology Services. An inquest docket has been opened.
A Familiar Face in South African Surfing
Lombard was a friend of the St Francis Today editor, a well-known within surfing circles, and was a familiar face behind the camera at major surfing events.
He also spent time photographing the JBay Open, documenting some of the world’s best surfers at Supertubes and becoming part of the wider group of photographers, surfers and characters who return to Jeffreys Bay for the event.
His death during a surfing contest has consequently been felt well beyond those gathered at Jongensfontein on Friday.
The Vintners Surf Classic has been part of the South African surfing calendar for more than two decades and brings together surfers from the country’s wine industry for a weekend of competition and camaraderie.
Our condolences go to Thys Lombard’s family and friends, as well as his fellow surfers and everyone who knew him through the South African surfing community.
The editor.
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