A tragic accident on Sunday, July 9 in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia, claimed the life of a Hawaiian surfing legend. Mikala Jones, 44, suffered a severe injury while surfing, resulting in his untimely death.
The married father of three, aged 44, was at the Awera Resort with his family when the accident occurred. Surfline, a respected surfing website, suggests that Jones suffered a severe injury to his left groin from his surfboard fin, leaving a gash about four inches long. Friends of Jones have said on social media that he severed his femoral artery in the accident, leading to substantial blood loss, though the full circumstances of his death are not yet known.
Known for his exceptional skills in tube surfing, where the surfer rides inside the wave’s barrel, Jones was a familiar figure in Hawaii’s surfing scene. His thrilling GoPro videos documenting his adventures led Surfline to hail him as “one of the 21st century’s most photogenic surfers.”
Isabella Jones, Jones’ daughter, confirmed her father’s tragic passing on Instagram, where she shared treasured photos of their surfing adventures together.
The global surfing community has been expressing their sorrow and paying tribute to Jones. Mick Fanning, a three-time World Champion surfer, commemorated Jones in a heartfelt Instagram post, lauding his unique personality and role as a loving husband and father.
T&C Surf Designs, a well-known surfboard maker in Hawaii, paid their respects to Jones on Facebook, remembering his tranquil demeanor, warm smile, and his deep passion for barrel riding.
