Sion Milosky: a big wave charger

Sion Milosky, a professional big wave rider, has lost his life in the giant surf at Mavericks, San Francisco, California. Milosky, 35, was a courageous, humble, and respected citizen, surfer, and father of two girls.

Surfers say he was charging 40-60 foot waves at Mavericks a few minutes before sunset.

Apparently, Milosky fell after a wave lip collapsed over him in low tide, and then another big wave crashed him.

"I'm pretty sure he wiped out, the board came away, he had no leash," said Big Wave Grant Washburn to Hawaii News Now.

Miloski had a lot of experience in Mavericks and in big surfing days.

Originally from Kalaheo, he moved to Oahu's North Shore, where he started to train and be prepared for giant waves.

A Hawaiin Hero

The body of Sion Milosky was found minutes after the tragic accident.

He was taken by Cal Fire to Seaton Coastside Medical Center in Half Moon Bay, where rescue units unsuccessfully attempted CPR.

Sion was a close friend of Andy Irons and had surfed the biggest wave ever paddled at Himalayas last winter.

He was also a hero after saving a woman's life at Rocky Point a couple of months ago. He will always be remembered for being a true free surfer.

The Half Moon Bay tragedy brings up the issue of safety and jet ski support on big wave surfing days.

Milosky was considered North Shore Underground Surfer of the Year in 2010. Leave your condolences on his Facebook page.

Top Stories

The small fishing town of Bathsheba in Barbados is home to one of the most surprising right-hand reef breaks on the planet. Here's what makes Soup Bowl such an incredible wave.

Kelly Slater and Kalani Miller announced they are expecting a baby. It's a boy.

Surfing is all about working the unbroken wave face and maximizing riding time. But how can you optimize and balance these two goals that cancel each other out?

"I'm at the lake. The wind is forecast to pick up through the day with some moderate gusts, but we have a small weather window to paddle. I think it's fine!" pings a WhatsApp message one late April morning.