A tragic accident on Sunday, July 9 in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia, claimed the life of a Hawaiian surfing legend. Mikala Jones, 44, suffered a severe injury while surfing, resulting in his untimely death. 

Residing at the Awera Resort with his family at the time of the incident, Jones was a married father of three. Surfline, a notable surfing platform, reports that he sustained an injury to his left groin on his surfboard fin, causing a substantial gash measuring about four inches. While full details of the event are yet to be confirmed, friends of the surfer revealed on social media that the accident resulted in the severing of his femoral artery, causing substantial blood loss.

Jones was known and respected for his skill in tube surfing, a style where the surfer rides inside the barrel of a wave. Surfline described him as “one of the 21st century’s most photogenic surfers,” due to the awe-inspiring GoPro videos capturing his surfing journeys. 

His daughter, Isabella Jones, confirmed his passing on Instagram, where she shared poignant photos of their shared surfing moments, expressing her disbelief at the tragic incident.

Tributes have since been flowing from the global surfing community. Notably, three-time World Champion surfer Mick Fanning took to Instagram, praising Jones’ unique personality and underlining his loving nature as a husband and father. 

T&C Surf Designs, a Hawaiian surfboard manufacturer, commemorated Jones on Facebook, remembering his serene disposition, warm smile, and his passion for deep barrel riding.