The soccer and surf communities are mourning the young Christensen Pérez. Photo: Instagram
The Chilean surf community is mourning the loss of 11-year-old surfer Gabriel Christensen Pérez, who died while surfing the left point of Puertecillo, Chile.
According to the Spanish-language surf outlet Duke, social media posts of those privy to the incident state that the young surfer’s leash became caught on a rock, leaving him unable to free himself.
Christensen Pérez was from the coastal town of Zapallar, where his school released a statement saying that despite “all the medical efforts to save his life,” he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The exact date and time of the accident have not been publicly confirmed, though a wake for Christensen Pérez was held in Zapallar on January 18.
Surfers across Chile, including big-wave legend Ramón Navarro, shared messages of condolence, and a moment of silence was held in his honor on Sunday at the Reñaca Surf Pro contest. The soccer club Pérez played for also released a statement about the young athlete’s passing.
The tragedy marks the second fatal accident to affect the Chilean surf community in less than a year, following the death of 34-year-old surfer Javiera Ortiz, who was struck and killed by a boat while surfing in the town of Cobquecura.
View this post on Instagram
