Family of missing surfer make grim admission

A Kiwi surfer is feared dead after disappearing in the water off Australia’s west coast as search teams desperately continue to scour the ocean.  

Aaron Beveridge, 47, was surfing at Main Break off Surfers Point in Prevelly, 275km south of Perth, in big-wave conditions on Friday afternoon.

It’s understood Mr Beveridge became snared in the Surgeon’s Table – an underground reef notorious for causing dangerous surfing accidents.

Mr Beveridge was one of several big-wave surfers in the water using longboards fitted with long leg ropes for the heightened conditions.

However, witnesses reported seeing Mr Beveridge’s surfboard in the ‘tombstone’ position shortly before his leg rope snapped.

The father-of-three hasn’t been seen since.

Mr Beveridge was a regular big-wave storm surfer and was trained in specialist breathing techniques for emergency situations but it’s believed the ocean pressure was too strong for him to resurface. 

A full sea search launched to find the 47-year-old had to be suspended due to rough weather, but was expected to resume Monday afternoon.

Several friends and family members have shared tributes to Mr Beveridge online in the wake of his suspected death, including his parents. 

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‘A mum’s worst nightmare this weekend,’ his mother, Cheryl Wilson, wrote.

‘My son Aaron James Beveridge was tragically taken at sea while pursuing his passion for surfing at Margaret River, Western Australia.

‘Can’t get my head around what’s happening. Hard to process.

‘RIP Aaron. You were loved so much by so many people absolutely devastated.’

Father, Don Beveridge, said Mr Beveridge would be remembered as a ‘son, brother, father, friend’.

‘Aaron went for a surf in his favourite place in Margaret River,’ he said.

‘Unfortunately he never returned. Words cannot capture the loss we are all feeling at this time.’

Other loved ones described Mr Beveridge as a ‘great lad’ with a calm presence who was always willing to help his mates – whether that be in the water or their personal lives.

‘Rest in peace Aaron Beveridge, every time I’d come to the Margaret river region I’d usually see you around at the beach or the skatepark,’ one person wrote. 

‘The town won’t be the same without your car and awesome dog parked in the carpark while you go surfing.’