Malik Joyeux

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Malik Joyeux (31 March 1980 – 2 December 2005) was a professional surfer famous for riding large waves. A Tahitian local, he often gained attention for surfing some of Teahupoo's largest waves. He was credited in 2003 with riding the largest wave ever ridden in Tahiti.

At 10:09AM on Friday, December 2, Joyeux took off deep (close to the wave's apex) on an eight foot tall wave at Oahu's Pipeline in Hawaii. As Joyeux tried to maneuver between the back of the wave and its lip, he was struck by the lip of the wave and forced underwater. The force of the wave broke his board. Aamion Goodwin, who caught the next wave, commented that the leash of his board was completely intact, ripped off by the force of the wave. With his board no longer attached to his body, he was impossible to locate visually. Water photographers and later surfers searched for Joyeux however difficulties and conditions prevented them locating him for seven to eight minutes. Myles Padaca reached him and brought him to the beach with the help of several other surfers. Lifeguards and paramedics attempted to resuscitate him but failed to do so. An autopsy report revealed that he had likely hit his head on his surfboard, instantly rendering him unconscious.