Rescue teams have officially ended the search for 28-year-old British surfer Arran Strong, who disappeared off the Portuguese coastline on Monday. The Autoridade Maritima Nacional (AMN) confirmed that the operation, which began shortly after the athlete went missing, was called off on Thursday.
Strong, a resident of Portugal, was a highly regarded figure in the sport, having competed in the World Surf League for a decade. He represented Great Britain in the last two World Surfing Games, where he consistently achieved the top ranking among British athletes. GB Surfing released a statement honoring his character, describing him as a generous teammate and a dedicated competitor whose influence on the community was profound.
The incident occurred while Strong was traveling between Monte Clerigo beach and Carrapateira. His coach, Jose Maria Pyrrait, was accompanying him and was eventually rescued by a nearby fishing vessel. Pyrrait recounted that he lost sight of Strong while they were navigating the waters and despite his immediate efforts to search the deep, low-visibility area, he was unable to locate him. The coach, who shared a long-standing mentor relationship with Strong, expressed deep personal grief over the loss.
Many prominent figures in the surfing world have shared their condolences, reflecting on Strong’s positive attitude and supportive nature. Fellow champions such as Lucy Campbell, Alys Barton, and performance coach Luke Dillon expressed their sorrow, highlighting his infectious smile and his role as a source of encouragement for those around him.
