A 25-year-old Eureka resident, tragically lost her life in a surfing incident at California’s Moonstone Beach on May 14, just one day after her nursing school graduation. 

Martina Marie Scarfia was surfing with another woman when she was swept off her surfboard by powerful waves, according to a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release. A brave beachgoer risked their own safety in an attempt to rescue her. The US Coast Guard intervened and transported Scarfia to a nearby hospital, but her injuries were unfortunately fatal.

Scarfia had proudly graduated from the College of the Redwoods nursing program just a day before the tragic accident. Her sister, Asia Autumn Scarfia-Ward, posted heartfelt sentiments expressing admiration for Scarfia’s accomplishments on Facebook. 

The family gathered to celebrate Scarfia’s graduation and shared a final collective surf as a symbolic farewell. 

Moonstone Beach, where the incident occurred, is a well-known surfing spot situated about 300 miles northwest of Sacramento, drawing surfers from all around.

In an unrelated incident on April 15, a 51-year-old man was found unresponsive while surfing near the Cove, a famed surf spot in Seaside, Oregon, known for its challenging conditions. He was discovered lying face down in the water by his friends. Bystanders performed immediate CPR before fire and rescue teams arrived. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital.