Shocking: Surfer Actor Tamayo Perry Killed in Brutal Shark Attack! What You Need to Know

Tamayo Perry, a renowned professional surfer and actor, tragically lost his life in a suspected shark attack near the North Shore of Oahu earlier this week. His colleagues and family members fondly remember him as a “legendary waterman” and a man of deep faith.

Here is some more information about him and the circumstances leading to his untimely death:

Who was he?

At 49 years old, Perry had built an impressive career as a pro surfer, lifeguard, and stuntman. His acting credits include starring roles in films such as “Blue Crush,” “Charlie’s Angels 2,” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” and he also featured in the TV series “Hawaii Five-0” and “Lost.”

Off the screen, he was known for his charismatic personality, stating in his official bio on his company website Oahu Surfing Experience, “When I’m not acting, I’m still quite a character, so there’s always a ton of fun to be had.”

Born and raised in a small town on the eastern side of O’ahu, Perry was described by his family as “a knight forged in the fires of the North Shore in the ’90s.” Alongside his wife Emilia, he co-founded and ran surf lessons through Oahu Surfing Experience and served as a lifeguard on the North Shore. His lifeguarding career began with the Ocean Safety department in July 2016.

As Honolulu Ocean Safety’s acting chief Kurt Lager shared at a news conference, “Tamayo Perry was a lifeguard cherished by all. He was well-known on the North Shore and recognized worldwide as a professional surfer. Tamayo’s personality was contagious, and his love for people was reciprocated by all who knew him.”

Before his lifeguarding career, Perry had been a professional surfer for over 15 years. He took pride in being paid to surf the Pipeline, which he referred to as “the world’s deadliest wave” in his professional bio. He earned a spot on the global stage by winning the esteemed Pipeline Masters trials in 1999, which paved the way for this “small-time island boy” to compete with the world’s best at the Pipe Masters competition. He later competed against Andy Irons, Kelly Slater, and Vetea David in Tahupoo, Tahiti, in the industry-dubbed “Super Final.”

Perry’s near-death experience at Pipeline caused him to shift his focus towards teaching, aiming to instill “proper surf etiquette and safety” in his students.

What happened?

According to local authorities, Perry was surfing at Mālaekahana Beach Lake, near Goat Island on the northeast coast of Oahu, when he was attacked and killed by a shark on Sunday afternoon.

Emergency services from Honolulu Ocean Safety, the city’s fire, police, and emergency medical services departments responded to a call reporting a man with multiple shark bite injuries just before 1 p.m. Lifeguards brought Perry to shore by jet ski, and paramedics confirmed his death.

Following the incident, Ocean Safety staff posted shark warnings in the area, according to Shayne Enright of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department.

The official cause of death has not been confirmed, and the species of the shark involved in the attack remains unknown.

How frequent are shark attacks in that area?

As reported by Honolulu News Now on Monday, Perry’s death marks the ninth fatal shark attack in Hawaii over the past two decades, and the only one not to occur off the island of Maui.

There have been four shark incidents in Hawaii this year, according to the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources. The National Ocean Service states that only around a dozen of the more than 300 species of sharks are typically involved in attacks on humans, which usually happen when a shark is either curious or mistaken.

Despite their rarity, the number of annual shark attacks and fatalities increased in 2023, according to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) at the University of Florida. The ISAF reported in February that there were 69 confirmed unprovoked cases globally last year, with 10 resulting in fatalities. This figure is in line with the most recent five-year average (between 2018-2022) of 63 incidents per year.

Researchers suggest that climate change could be a contributing factor in the rise of shark attacks, but the increase could also be attributed to a growing number of people visiting the ocean each year and improved reporting of bites and fatalities.

Despite being a self-proclaimed “Jaws” fan and expressing his fear of sharks on Facebook in 2015, Perry believed that “only the Lord can say when it’s your time.” He also claimed to be able to sense the presence of sharks while surfing, as reported by the Daily Beast.

What have Perry’s family and colleagues said?

In a statement posted on social media, Perry’s family honored him as a “hero.”

“He was like a big brother to everyone, firm yet kind, with a contagious and playful smile. He was the one to turn to in times of trouble, providing a sense of security when everything seemed to be falling apart. He was a knight, shaped by the trials and tribulations of the North Shore in the ’90s, with his faith in Christ serving as his steadfast foundation. Not many truly walk in the footsteps of Jesus, but Tamayo never wavered from this path,” the statement read.

“Although his passing is tragic, we take solace in the fact that he left this world doing what he loved, where he loved. We find strength in the belief that he is now in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ, riding the waves at Pipeline with his friends who have gone before him.”

How the surf world reacted

The news of Perry’s death has sent shockwaves through the surfing community in Oahu. An informal memorial was organized near his lifeguard post on Banzai Pipeline on Monday, according to Hawaii News Now. His longtime colleague, Lt. Dave Wassel of the Honolulu Ocean Department, spoke about the “unique situation” the community is now facing.

“There’s no guidebook on how to handle this,” Wassel told the news station. “There are people alive today because of his successful CPR efforts. It’s not something many people can say, so it’s heartening to see.”

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, in a statement to The Times, praised Perry for his “bravery, commitment, and deep sense of duty, serving our community with unwavering dedication.”

“His heroic actions and relentless efforts to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors will always be remembered,” the mayor said. “As we mourn this unimaginable loss, we are reminded of the inherent risks faced by our lifeguards daily, and we extend our deepest gratitude for their service.”

The World Surf League also expressed its condolences to Perry’s family on Twitter, mourning the loss of the “beloved icon,” who was a member of the league for many years.

His legacy

While the family has requested privacy, Perry’s wife has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser titled “Supporting Tamayo Perry’s Legacy.” The campaign, which aims to raise $100,000, had already garnered over $38,000 by Tuesday afternoon.

Perry’s company announced that a celebration of life event will be held at a later date.