Authorities have officially called off the search for a British surfer who disappeared off the coast of Portugal earlier this week, following unsuccessful efforts to locate the missing man. Arran Strong, a 28-year-old who had been competing in the World Surf League since 2016, went missing on Monday near Arrifana beach in the Aljezur region.
According to Portugal's Autoridade Marítima Nacional (AMN), the incident occurred while Strong was paddleboarding with his coach, José Maria Pyrrait, during a trip from Monte Clérigo beach toward Carrapateira. Pyrrait was rescued by a local fishing boat, the AMN confirmed.
In a social media tribute, Pyrrait detailed the moments leading up to the disappearance. He explained that the pair had stopped to take photos and have a drink during their journey. When they resumed, Pyrrait, who described himself as a faster paddler, surged ahead with the intention of waiting for Strong. However, when he stopped to wait, he discovered Strong's board drifting approximately 100 metres away. Pyrrait stated he paddled back to the board and dived into the water, but faced significant challenges due to the extreme depth and poor visibility. He then alerted his partner on shore, who contacted emergency services. A local fisherman subsequently rescued Pyrrait and recovered the surfboards, spending nearly two and a half hours using sonar to scan the area.
Reflecting on their long-term relationship, Pyrrait noted that Strong had trained with him since the age of 10, adding that his love for the athlete was like that for a son. GB Surfing also issued a statement regarding the tragedy, describing Strong as a "fantastic teammate" and a "respected competitor." The organization expressed that his passing is a devastating loss to the surfing community and extended their condolences to his family and friends.
