Surfing poses inherent risks, and a recent incident off Daytona Beach Shores highlighted the dangers of the sport. Jorge Alvarado, a resident of Port Orange, suffered a fatal head injury while riding waves near Sunglow Pier on Friday, September 13, around 9 a.m.
According to Tamra Malphurs, director of Volusia County Beach Safety and Rescue, Alvarado is believed to have struck a sandbar and subsequently became entangled with a piling under the pier. A witness reported that he hit the piling with his head before going under in an area without lifeguard coverage. Fellow surfers attempted to rescue him, but it took several minutes before life-saving measures could be administered, and he was transported to a hospital.
Malphurs indicated that a lateral current may have pushed Alvarado into the pier after he sustained his injury. In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was established, raising over $21,000 in donations for Alvarado’s family, with contributions exceeding $14,000 before his passing was announced. Organizer Justin Gore shared heartfelt tributes, celebrating Alvarado’s vibrant spirit and passion for life and surfing.
The focus on head injuries in sports has intensified, prompting greater interest in protective measures. In the surfing community, helmet use is becoming more common, with approximately half of competitors in events like the Tahiti-based Championship Tour and Olympic Games donning helmets, reflecting a shift in perceptions about safety gear.