Veteran Pipeline surfer, lifeguard, and actor Tamayo Perry was killed in a shark attack near Moku’auia (Goat Island) in Laie, Oahu, Hawaii. Perry, 49, was surfing off the east coast of Oahu on the morning of June 23 when the attack occurred. Local lifeguards issued an alert and brought Perry’s lifeless body back to shore on a jet ski. Honolulu Emergency Services pronounced the well-known Hawaiian freesurfer dead upon arrival at Malaekahana Beach.
By Sadie Watkins
Master of Pipeline Surfing
Tamayo Perry was born in 1975 and grew up on the East Side of Oahu. He began surfing at the age of 12 and soon developed a close friendship with future pop star Jack Johnson, who lived nearby. In his late teens, Perry was known as a quiet, emerging local surfer who often borrowed surfboards due to a lack of sponsorship. By 1997, this slender, goofy-footed surfer had developed a unique tube-riding style influenced by his idols Gerry Lopez and Tom Carroll.
Faith and Competitions
Perry also embraced a devout born-again Christian faith. When asked by a surf magazine to name the last two books he read, he mentioned the Bible and “The End: 50 Reasons Why Jesus Christ Could Return Before the Year 2000.” Perry competed in selective events with moderate success, including a victory in the 1999 Pipe Masters Trials and a fourth-place finish in the 2000 Pipe Masters Trials, as well as a fifth place in the Billabong Pro Trials at Teahupoo. Despite these successes, by 2005, he was widely considered the most dominant surfer at Pipeline.
Fearless and Friendly
The North Shore surfer often traveled to Teahupoo with his bodyboarder wife, Emilia. Together, they ran the Oahu Surfing Experience in Hawaii. In the past, he suffered a near-fatal head injury at Pipeline after being hit by a discarded surfboard. This event led him to start a career as a lifeguard with Honolulu Ocean Safety, where he embraced the need to share good surf etiquette with all surfers. As an actor, he appeared in films such as “Blue Crush” (2002), “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” (2003), and “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” (2011).
A Life of Adventure
Tamayo Perry was known for his fearless style and willingness to ride the biggest waves. Friends described him as a happy individual with a big heart and a constant smile. Perry’s passion for surfing and dedication to the surfing community made him a beloved figure on Oahu. According to Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources, he was the first surfer to die in Oahu due to a shark attack. Previously, fatal shark incidents involving surfers in the archipelago occurred only in Maui in 2004 and 2023.
Tamayo Perry’s death is a significant loss to the surfing community. His impressive career and commitment to water safety leave a lasting legacy. Perry’s story serves as a reminder of the dangers and the fulfilling nature of a surfer’s life. His passion and courage will continue to inspire the world of surfing.
Based on content from www.surfertoday.com
