Big-wave surfer Sion Milosky dies at Maverick's....

Sion Milosky, Pipeline, November 2010 : photo Joliphotos.com

R.I.P. Sion Milosky

Big-wave surfer Sion Milosky dies at Maverick's

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 17 March, 2011 : - - Sion Milosky, from Kauai, died Wednesday during a late-afternoon session at Maverick's. He was 35. Milosky's death is only the second at Maverick's involving a surfer. The other victim was renowned big-wave charger Mark Foo, also from Hawaii, who drowned after a wipeout in 1994.

Milosky, one of many big-wave chargers on hand for the arrival of a late-season north swell at Maverick's, apparently got pummeled by a set wave in the waning daylight. Waves were not especially large by Maverick's standards, with faces around 20-30 feet. Conditions were sloppy.

Milosky apparently drowned after enduring a two-wave hold down around 6:30 p.m., according to Maverick's surfer Ken Collins, with whom Milosky was staying in Santa Cruz.

Milosky caught at least six waves before he fell when the lip of a wave he was riding collapsed on top of him, Collins said. The fall happened during low tide, with the water depth at the break averaging 15-20 feet. Milosky's board "tombstoned," Another wave crashed over Milosky after shortly after the first, according to Collins.

Nathan Fletcher, an invitee to The Jay at Maverick's Big Wave Contest who had traveled to Santa Cruz with Milosky, went looking for Milosky on a Jet Ski shortly after Milosky fell. About 20 minutes after the incident, Fletcher found Milosky's body floating at the Pillar Point Harbor mouth, about a mile from the break, Collins said.

Milosky was named the North Shore Underground Surfer of the Year last month. He used some of the prize of $25,000 in travel funds to fly to Santa Cruz on Sunday to catch one of the last big swells of the season at Maverick's.

"Sion was dominating it. He was out there catching so many waves, he was so good," said Collins, also a Jay at Maverick's invitee. "Everybody was like, 'Who is that? What are you doing letting Hawaiians take over your wave?' That's what blows my mind the most is that he was doing all that, and then he drowned."

Milosky is survived by his wife and two young daughters.

Full article available at Santa Cruz Sentinal

Volcom Statement:

It's with a very heavy heart that we bid farewell to Hawaiian family man and big wave surfer Sion Milosky. After a wipeout and a two wave hold down at Mavericks, Sion passed away. Words can't begin to describe how saddened we are by this loss.

Sion's first passion was his wife and kids and surfing giant waves was his second. Never before had we seen such an amazing surge of coverage from any surfer in a period of less than two years. If Sion set out to do something he would do it, no questions asked. His spirit of Aloha was unmatched and whenever you were around him you couldn't help but feel good in his presence. Our sincere condolences go out to Sion's family and friends.

Volcom has set up a donation fund for Sion's family below, click on the button to donate, all of the money collected will be given to the Milosky family.

GOD SPEED Sion!! You will be greatly missed!! Aloha!

Volcom Sion Milosky Donation Fund

Vans Statement:

The entire Vans family is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Sion Milosky yesterday. Sion had recently become an active member of the Vans surf team with a terrific season on the North Shore this winter, but, more importantly, he leaves a loving wife and two young daughters.

In December, Sion won $25,000 through the Vans and Surfing Magazine North Shore Underground program with the intention of financing future surf trips. Vans will contribute the entire amount to a fund to be established to assist the Milosky family.

Additional details regarding the fund, once established, will be shared with the community. Our deepest condolences go out to Sion's family and friends.

Chris Overholser / Marketing & PR / Vans

Surfersvillage Archives: Sion Milosky