I made the trip up to rockaway today. Great waves and weather. I caught a wave to the inside, and was about to walk back to the jetty to paddle back out. I saw a board tombstoning and there were mad people yelling on the beach. I didn't want to believe it, but there was a guy attached to the board still. My guess is that he hit his head on the underwater jetty and his leash wrapped around it. I tried my best to help but there was some serious current on the inside. There were at least 10 other surfers trying to get to him. I eventually got a hold of his board, and as i was about to dive to get him, a wave knocked my grip off. He was dragged out of the water by a guy with a lifeguard can. EMS was giving him CPR, but i'm not sure if he survived. Condolences to his family and friends. Please post if you hear he's ok.
Sorry you had to go through that, man. Guy didn't make it. http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/local_news/queens/091112-surfer-dies-off-rockaway-beach
My condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Bareto. It is very sad that someone with this much surf stoke has died so tragically. It was also very heroic of the OP to try and save him. I grew up surfing south Jersey and moved to the Rockaways about a year and a half ago. I was surprised by the general kookiness of the surfing population, especially at 90th street, where the incident took place. Surfers have no problem dropping in on other surfers and generally have no respect for anyone or the conditions. I've been out in well overhead conditions there before and have been dropped in on and had longboards ditched at me by individuals unable to duckdive whitewater/ hold onto their board. I've have seen surfers put in danger on many occasions at that spot by inexperienced surfers paddling out in serious conditions. I surfed 90th street all day today and while the surf was large, I really didn't find myself in too many dangerous spots, nor did the other surfers holding the main peak. While it is tragic that someone died in the pursuit of stoke I am not surprised that it happened at this spot. You put yourself and others in danger by paddling out in conditions you can't handle. And if you surf 90th street and someone drops in on you, please regulate. I hope this can be a wake up call.
Seriously santos is right ... the level of total kooks is unbelievable ... who yells for themselves afger riding s wave slightl down the line? These kooks ... no one has any regard for position and the few locals here do regulate.... but all the idiots just do what they feel ... this neeeds to stop especially when its legit surf like today ....
The news you are quoting are from 2009... From other accounts the guy is in the hospital: http://www.nynjsurf.com/forum/main-...in-rockaway-t29343.0.html;msg296022#msg296022 prayers go out that he pulls through
Owning a surfboard doesn't make you a surfer only a hazard to those trying to score. I watched "Johnny" after "Johnny" try to make it out and a few of them didn't. It wasn't that big and the swell had more east in it so it wasn't a direct hit. The bombers that came through was the South fetch from the Low offshore. THOSE were the ones!!! I scored solid right hander kegs for about 2hrs while all those "Johnnys" paddled for the lefts on the jetty. Instead of sitting deep like the locals were, they shoulder hopped and dropped in on everyone. Learn to paddle and duckdive before you move into the lineup.
to anyone who drowned yesterday on that solid swell condolences. the water is nothing to be ****ing with but if we all work together we could at least offer the family some closure rather then having a body floating in the water and turn up weeks l8r =/
Wow, how embarrassing. Thanks for straightening that one out... Can't believe it also happened on November 12 2009 though...
I surf mostly uptown in rockaway but it was almost an impossible paddle out in my usual spots on saturday. so I hit 90th up with a buddy late saturday... all I have to say, after seeing the old jetties is that they are possibly the most dangerous surf obstacle I have ever seen. I read today in the paper that the parks services will be doing a study to see what they should do about removing them...... so I guess we'll hear something in like 10 years from now. lol. Hope this guy chuck makes a full recovery....
Those pylons are a serious hazard. They are all over Belmar was well. On big days EVERYONE needs to be cautious and respect the hierearchy in the line up. If your unsure of your abilites surf a less crowded break. Anyone can get snagged on a stick or graze a jetty especially when the current is moving that fast. Drop-ins and board bailout should'nt be tolerated. We all need to look out for one another, and regulate when necessary. Especially durring the winter months. Chances are that the person that will save your a$$ if your in trouble, is the dude you just droped in on. I hope this dude pulls through. Be safe out there! Best
