Maldives jay moriarty. Dec 1 2014 this is the real jay moriarty who died when he was 22 in the maldives. The real jay moriarity died on june 15 2001 the day before his 23rd birthday while free diving in the warm calm clear waters of the indian ocean in the maldive islands. Santa cruz surfer jay moriarity 22 died off the indian coast on friday to surfers young and old jay moriarity famous big wave rider from santa cruz was a natural born hero.
Jay moriarity june 16 1978 june 15 2001 was a surfer from santa cruz california. Jay moriarty in a dozen short years from the first time he paddled a surfboard out at santa cruz until his untimely death from a free diving accident in the maldives jay moriarty earned a reputation in the sport that will prevail indefinitely. On december 19 1994 sixteen year old surfer jay moriarity wiped out at mavericks on a fifty foot monster wave.
His father was on the united states army special forces which is also known as green berets. He was born to father doug moriarity and mother christy moriarity. A tribute to jay moriarity longboard and big wave surfing legend who tragically died freediving in the maldives in june 2001.
Jay quickly mastered the art of surfing in all its forms and variations. Surfer magazine jay moriarity wipeout photo. Adventure jay moriarity dies in diving accident june 16th 2001 lohifushi island resort maldives it is with the deepest regret that oneill inc and oneill europe announce that on the 15th.
Photographer bob barbour captured the moment and jays wipeout later appeared in the new york times and on the cover of surfer magazine. His parents doug and christy moved to santa cruz california when jay was still a baby. The well known cover below shows jay being held at the top of the wave by the wind just as he is starting to lose control.
As part of his strict training regime he went free diving off the coast of the island of lohifushi. He was a lovely bloke a real gent. As a surfer he made his reputation surfing mavericks in half moon bay californiaat age 16 he was made internationally famous when his wipeout at mavericks was caught on film and made the cover of surfer magazine.
And so it was all. The grom started riding his first waves aged 9 at sewer peak. He was in the maldives for a photo shoot for his sponsor oneill.