On March 9th, 2005 our surfing community lost a dear friend and loved one in a tragic accident. We extend our deepest sympathies to his friends and family, and to his girlfriend Shawna, who lost her soulmate.

When I first met Patrick, I surely didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I wasn’t expecting that this person in front of me would become the most important person in my life, and more than that, how similar our goals and interests were. Before long I found out that this was a man that was going to be in my live—he loved all the things that I held dear to me. The ocean, the beach, going boating and fishing, traveling the world. He would pull me out on his board on the 91st St. break and try to get me to learn to surf. We traveled the world’s beaches, Panama, Jamaica; and its mountains, like Vail. He was one of the few people in this world who could keep up with my Rolling Stone heart. He’s not supposed to be gone. We had plans. We were going to Nantucket next weekend. We were going to Nicaragua. I wanted to join him in Hawaii at the end of the month. I was looking forward to helping him with his house. We had talked about making sure his backyard was ready by barbecue season.

Patrick made me comfortable. When I was with him, I was happy. I loved him so much and I felt his love for me. We both struggled with our problems over the last few years, but he always told me that getting out there in the water, surfing, brought him the kind of peace you can’t find anywhere, ANYWHERE, else. He loved the surfing community. THIS community. He was always showing me this Web site. I am a poor sod who sits behind a desk 5 days a week. At night, he would get on this web site to show me the action that I had missed that day. I always amazed at the incredible relationships he developed with the people in this community. I was so used to such insular worlds, this person doesn’t talk to that person. But with you, and your community, it didn’t matter where you were from, or what you did, or what kind of car you drove, or house you lived in. You were surfers. And you all love each other, and you loved him. And he loved you. You gave him peace. I know he is smiling down from Heaven to know that we all miss him and love him so much. He is my super star.

We must get something out of this tragedy. We must know that life is short and fragile and sweet. We all think we’re invincible. Hell, I know you have to have no fear to go out to some of those coral breaks. And many of us live even harder off the water than in it. But if I have to learn something from this, it is to say goodbye to someone every time you say goodbye to someone, say it how you mean it, not because it may be the last time, but rather because that is how you feel, and they need to know that. Thank you for everything that you’ve done for Patrick and the memory that will live on in his name."

Shawna