Surfer Arran Strong Missing Off Portugal Coast
Arran Strong, a professional surfer from Great Britain, vanished off the coast of Portugal, according to the UK’s sports governing body. Strong, 28, was surfing with his coach, Jose Maria Pyrrait, a mile offshore when they paused to hydrate and take photos. Pyrrait allowed Strong to proceed at his own pace, which is slower than Pyrrait’s.
“In short: we stopped off Arrifana to drink water and take some pictures. We were there for a few minutes talking, when we started again,” Pyrrait shared on Instagram. “I let him go ahead. Since my pace is faster. I always do that. When I would catch it and get a short lead I’d stop and wait for it.”
However, Strong’s surfboard was soon seen drifting about 100 meters away. Pyrrait rushed towards it, diving in search but faced limited visibility in the deep waters.
Search Efforts and Confirmation
Pyrrait contacted his partner on shore for assistance, resulting in a local fisherman joining the search using sonar equipment. The Autoridade Marítima Nacional (AMN) reported Strong was struggling in the water at 11:33 BST on Monday. The search was suspended on Thursday, marking the end of efforts to locate him.
Remarkably, Strong would often say he would die young. Pyrrait expressed his sorrow, seeing Strong as a son: “Arran was like a son to me; he had been training with me and spending weekends and holidays with me since he was ten years old—as I used to tell his mother, he was like the child of divorced parents. I loved him as if he were another son life had given me.”
Achievements and Mourning
Strong’s remarkable achievements include being the highest-ranked British surfer at recent World Surfing Games. He participated in the World Surf League for ten years. GB Surfing commemorated Strong’s passing, acknowledging his contributions to the sport and community.
“Arran proudly represented Great Britain at the 2024 and 2025 ISA World Surf Games, finishing as our highest-placed male surfer on both occasions. Beyond his performances in the water, Arran was a fantastic teammate, respected competitor and a kind, generous presence whose passion for surfing left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” the statement read.
This loss deeply affects the surfing community, leaving a void among those who knew him.
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