Jay Moriarity

Jay Moriarity

Jay Moriarity pictured in September 2000
Personal information
Born June 16, 1978
Georgia, U.S.
Died June 15, 2001 (aged 22)
Residence Santa Cruz, California
Surfing career
Years active 1988-2001
Sponsors O'Neill
Surfing specifications
Stance Regular (natural) foot
Favorite waves Mavericks (Half Moon Bay, California), Pleasure Point, (Santa Cruz, California)

Jay Moriarity (June 16, 1978–June 15, 2001) was a surfer from Santa Cruz, California.[1] He was an accomplished surfer, waterman, and adventurer. As a surfer, he made his reputation surfing Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, California. At age 16, he was made internationally famous when his wipeout at Mavericks was caught on film and made the cover of Surfer magazine. Although a successful competitor, Jay is remembered as a soul surfer, winning many sportsmanship awards throughout his career.

Life

Born in Georgia in 1978, Jay Moriarity and his family moved to Santa Cruz, California, soon after his birth. His father was a Green Beret and a surfer, who introduced his son to surfing when he was 9 years old. He immediately took to surfing and quickly became a respected surfer in Santa Cruz. Not limited to either a shortboard or a longboard, he was known as a versatile surfer who appreciated all aspects of surfing. This appreciation was rooted in an overall love for the ocean, seen in his accomplishments as a swimmer, paddler, diver, and fisherman.[2] Achieving success in surfing as a youngster, he became increasingly interested in surfing Mavericks, north of Santa Cruz in Half Moon Bay. After intense physical and mental training with his master and close friend and Mavericks regular Frosty Hesson, he began surfing Mavericks at 16 years of age, and soon became a respected regular in the line-up. In 2001, Moriarity co-authored a book with Chris Gallagher entitled, The Ultimate Guide to Surfing. A film, Chasing Mavericks, directed by Curtis Hanson, chronicling the life of Moriarity was released on October 26, 2012, with Jonny Weston playing the role of Moriarity.[3] The book Making Mavericks, authored by Moriarity's mentor Frosty Hesson, was also published in October 2012.

Moriarity died a day before his 23rd birthday on June 15, 2001, in the Indian Ocean off the coast of the island Lohifushi in the Maldives, drowning in an apparent diving accident. In Lohifushi for an O'Neill photo shoot, he went free-diving alone but was not seen after. A search party recovered his body late Friday night. Moriarity left behind his wife Kim Moriarity.

Memorial Paddleboard Race

Moriarity has an annual paddleboard race in his memory, the annual Jay Moriarity Paddleboard Race in Santa Cruz, from New Brighton Beach to Pleasure Point and back. After his death they had a memorial for him in the ocean where he had gone diving. Both his wife Kim and mentor, Frosty, attended.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Andy Martin (28 July 2001). "Jay Moriarity - Obituaries, News - The Independent". The Independent (London). Archived from the original on 7 September 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  2. ↑ Jay Moriarty Biography and Photos | SURFLINE.COM
  3. ↑ Deadline :Gerard Butler Set For Walden Media Surf Pic 'Mavericks'

External links