Yesterday, Dave Hargrave surfed his last wave. Hargrave, who had decades of experience as a surfer,
died in the ocean he loved for as yet undetermined reasons. Big Wave Dave or All Wave Dave as he was known by many is mourned throughout the community but especially by fellow surfers.
Dave Hargrave enjoying life. [Photo provided by his daughter]
One person remembered him as “a wonder to watch in the water.” Another as “a kind soul.”
Friends and emergency personnel struggled to save the well-liked local after he was seen floating face down near the North Jetty of Humboldt Bay.
Below is what we saw:
-
-
Emergency personnel rushed to get equipment and crews on the scene. [All photos by Mark McKenna unless otherwise noted]
-
-
While friends and fellow surfers tried to save Dave, emergency personnel who were unable to reach him yet watched anxiously.
-
-
A U.S. Coast Guard 47 foot Motor Life Boat responded to the scene just off the North Jetty while surfers did CPR on the man they knew and respected.
-
-
Dave was raised onto the boat with care.
-
-
As one of the surfers lifts a hand, the Coast Guard prepares to bring Dave to land.
-
-
Crews return from the end of the North Jetty to be ready for the Coast Guard
-
-
Benjie Rose, one of the surfers who rendered aid and CPR to his friend looks back at the ocean, that both took a life and gives him joy.
-
-
Jim Merryfield, one of four regular surfers at the North Jetty who rendered aid to a fellow surfer, hugs a friend on the dunes shortly after returning to shore. All four of the surfers who helped render aid to the surfer knew him and all thought he was a great guy and experienced surfer.
-
-
Flowers for Big Wave Dave [Photo by Joan Dunning]
His daughter, Hollie wrote on our website that her father “went out charging it, and doing what he loved. It was too soon! We are grieving, but are so grateful for…all those who worked tirelessly to try and save his life, and to those who gathered in honor of him at the Jetti last night. We will be forever grateful.❤️
As one fellow surfer said earlier on this website, “Godspeed my brother! I just talked to you…before we paddled out. It was big, but nothing you couldn’t handle with a smile and a nod. We surfed together for 13 years. Me and the dogs will miss your smiling face…No fear, Dave, you’re with god. Love you!”
A fundraiser to help bury Dave has been set up. If you would like to help, please click here.
Dave Hargrave reminding everyone to hang loose.
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/
🕯🕯RIP Big Wave Dave 🏄♂️🕊🕊
Dave. Went down swinging like an absolute man with a giant grin on his face. A life so well lived, and a man so loved. Crying that I will not to see your grizzly face and crooked smile with the light of God burning in your eyes. You are with your son and your dogs stroking painlessly into God’s majestic perfection.
Did he hit is head on the board… rocks… or maybe a ‘medical’ event… or I guess maybe an ‘unknown’ ?
Either way, he went out doing what he loved. RIP
My sympathies to his family and many friends.
Beautifully said! Thanks so much from his sister Sally.
Thank you for sharing these pictures. I think David would have appreciated the coast guard, EMT and fellow surfers were there for him with love.
It means so much to me that the loneliest journey was not taken without loving attendance.
Me too! Thanks Cynthia.
What a beautiful way to go – sounds strange, but he seems lucky to me.
Dying doing what you love seems lucky to me, too. Rest in Peace, Big Wave Dave!
that’s why i hope to go while robbing a bank
R.I.P. Dave. My deepest sympathy to his family & friends.
Dave’s absolute stoke will not be able to be replaced. Of all people I’ve ever met at the beach, he was the one the most dedicated to the rhythms of the ocean. His surf reports always had time, swell direction, and size as part of the normal conversation. The loss of Dave is culturally significant and will leave a huge hole for a long time here on the North Coast.
Dave awaited swell like a child awaiting Christmas morning. For anyone who has been surfing a bit and who really knows, Dave was one of the real ones. Undeniable enthusiasm is absolutely unmistakable, and Dave had massive waves pouring from his soul. You could feel the ocean through his words and simple presence.
Forever part of the Humboldt culture, you my brother, are a Legend and will always be with us whenever we paddle out. Thank you for being a Surfer, a Man, a Mystery.
Cheers
Thank you so much for this beautiful description of my brother💝💝💝💝
Big Wave Dave was a man I looked up to. When I was a kid, I always enjoyed surfing with my dad more than anything else. When my dad got sick and was no longer able to surf, surfing with Dave brought me a ton of stoke. He was the same age as my dad, had the same style as my dad, both in and out of the water, and the same mannerisms. I always looked forward to surfing with Dave. I remember some of best days I’ve ever had at the jetty and bunkers were with Dave, one day at the jetty right in particular. You were loved and will always be missed. I haven’t had many heroes in my life, but Dave, you were one of them, I truly looked up to you. Aloha and Aloha brother.
Memorial at the North Jetty, Saturday sept 21 4pm – evening.
Paddle out and splash for Dave, stay for a bonfire.
Come if you can.
( Kym- can you throw this in as an update so people see it at the top?)
Super cool guy. Never a hint of a bad vibe. So fucking sad. Only the good die young. RIP brother.
What a lovely tribute in words and photos. Thank you for honoring Dave in this way.