The search for a California man last seen surfing on Oahu's north shore has become a recovery effort.This, after several sharks more than 8 feet long were spotted around what appeared to be a body.
Firefighters, lifeguards and the coast guard scoured Police Beach in search of a missing surfer early Wednesday morning.
The surfer is a visitor from San Francisco who was last seen at Laniakea Beach around 5 O’clock Tuesday night.
Officials say the waves were 3 to 6 feet with strong trade winds.
"Lifeguards saw a novice surfer out in the water and they went to help him and the process were not able to locate the surfer,” said Ocean Safety Lt. John Hoogsteden.
Around 7:30 Wednesday morning a fire search helicopter made a gruesome discovery about a mile and a half from Laniakea.
“They saw a body off shore Papailoa Point about a quarter mile off, and they also saw sharks, three large Tiger Sharks exhibiting aggressive behavior and shortly after they were no longer able to see the body,” said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Terry Seelig.
Before heading to the beach Tuesday, the surfer stopped at the North Shore Surf Shop, across from Shark's Cove.
“Customer had come into the shop and had asked to rent a board and I asked his surfing level experience and ocean experience level, he told me it was zero so I tried to get him to take surfing lessons ,” said North Shore Surf Shop employee Michael Bahrou.
The store's surveillance shows a store employee speaking with the customer and a woman for more than 30 minutes.
When they said no to lessons, he told them to check out Puena Point and Haleiwa Beach Park, surf spots that are easy and safe for beginners.
“When I ended up finding out that he ended up going to Lani's, Laniakea, I felt, I felt very bad for the customer,” Bahrou said. “I'm very devastated for what has happened, but in the same respect I feel that we still do a very good job here to try to provide for all the customers and all the tourists that we see here.”
Ocean Safety Officials posted warning signs within a one mile radius of Police Beach, alerting swimmers of sharks in the area.
Officials say they will continue searching for the remains until sun down.
