This year, we wanted to take a moment to honor those from our tribe we lost too soon.
The conclusion of the year is a natural time to look forward. Time, as they say, marches in one direction.
Here at The Inertia, it’s with great pleasure we document the pursuits of some of the most passionate and driven people on the planet – many of which have carved out unique lives for themselves with the express goal of maximizing time to play in the mountains or the sea. Sadly, every year there are those that leave us too soon.
This year, we wanted to take a minute to acknowledge five lives that were tragically lost in 2018. Their marks on the sport or sports they touched will never be forgotten.
Photo: Instagram/Pierre Agnes
1. Pierre Agnes
In late January of this year, a vessel belonging to Boardriders CEO Pierre Agnes, 54, washed ashore at the French beach of La Graviere hours after Agnes left for a sport fishing trip. Search crews tirelessly scoured the area off the coast for days to no avail. “I love this man,” wrote Kelly Slater on Instagram on the day Agnes went missing. “I’m praying for a miracle but it’s just starting to hit me what a profound effect this man had on my life and the surf community at large. He loved his morning fishing trips, family, Quiksilver, surfing, friends, motorbikes, Capbreton…I’m not even sure how to let it sink in.”
Photo: Billy Kemper/Instagram
The well-known and well-loved 29-year-old phenom tragically passed in April of this year. His death was expected to be drug-related. Chidester, who relocated to the North Shore from Seal Beach at age 12 was considered one of Oahu’s most promising up-and-comers giving the likes of John John Florence and Mason Ho a run for their money.
“He was right there on their level,” Liam McNamara told Surfline. “He was an amazing surfer. He was considered one of our hopefuls.”
“From birthday campouts, outer island contests, to junior lifeguards and everything in between,” wrote Alex Florence in a touching Instagram tribute. “The happiest and most entertaining sweet child you were. Rest in peace Chas. We will hold these memories dear and close to our hearts. Love and condolences to the whole family.”
Photo: Vans
3. Dillon Ojo
At the age of 22, the sudden and tragic passing of snowboarder Dillon Ojo rocked the snowboarding world this summer. He reportedly fell three stories while climbing a building after a night out in Montreal.
“Growing up in Montreal, Quebec… [Dillon] used the urban environment to define his style that is now forever etched among the upper ranks of street-style snowboarding,” wrote The Inertia contributor Steve Andrews in a touching obituary. “In just a few short years [he] produced one banger part after another in snowboard vids such as Vans’ Landline, The Snowboarder Movie, and Bang’ A Rang, films that have managed to become modern classics.”
But it’s the words of Kevin Casillo, Vans’ global marketing manager for snow, that immortalized Dillon’s life best. “Dillon was someone who always stood out from the crowd,” he said. “The way he approached things, people and life. The stories from the road of Dillon are nothing short of amazing. He brought such good energy into every situation and would make the crew laugh 24 hours a day. I think it’s safe to say that I speak for everyone when I say we all feel blessed and beyond grateful to have gotten to spend so much time with Dillon – he made us all better people.”
British snowboarder Ellie Soutter was a rising star and Olympic hopeful before she decided to end her own life just days before her 18th birthday. Soutter, who grew up in England, relocated to the French Alps in 2010 where she was discovered by UK Olympic officials. She was a competitor in boardercross and the junior events on the Freeride World Tour.
In the wake of her passing, Soutter’s father has called for increased awareness around mental health. “She wanted to be the best. She didn’t want to let anybody down. Unfortunately, it all came about from missing a flight which then meant she didn’t go to training with the GB squad. She felt she’d let them down, felt she’d let me down and tragically, it just takes one silly little thing like that to tip someone over the edge because there’s a lot of pressure on children,” he told the BBC.
Image: GoFundME
Adam Francis Kennedy D’Esposito was a familiar face in lineups all over the world – from Tahiti to Cloudbreak. Sadly, in September the 39-year-old was reported missing. He was last seen in Baja Malibu in early August. Surfers that knew him, including Kelly Slater, reposted his photo with pleas for anyone with information on his whereabouts to come forward. Weeks later, though, D’Esposito was found dead in Rosarito.
“He was a very charismatic person with a big heart, passionate personality and a deep love for surfing,” wrote D’Esposito’s sister Briana on Facebook after reports of his passing were confirmed. “He had a huge heart for his young daughter and enjoyed spending so much time with her in his last few months. The impact that he had on so many was incredibly evident to my family through your support, love and efforts to help us during a highly stressful and worrisome time. We thank all of you from the bottom of hearts.”
