My son - my surfing buddy - passed away at 25 yesterday

General Discussion
1

I’m sorry for putting this on anyone who reads this but…I just lost my favorite surfing buddy of my 46 odd years of surfing. He was my son. He just returned in July to Sag Harbor, NY from 5 or so years living in the Santa Barbara area. Spent the last year in Ventura. Went to SBCC and surfed from Jalama to Ventura - drove a brownish/gold S-10 Chevy pick-up with matching cap - you might have seen him. Goofy foot with a smooth backside style - had to living that stretch, I know, having lived there in the 70’s and being goofy also.

 

As he drove home in July, I shaped him a new 5-10 quad. On arrival, he and I glassed it together. He has/had artistic skills oozing from every pore, so I mixed a bunch of colors and we had at it for a funky reverse lay-up lam. Quaded it up with Pro-Box and it turned into a “magic” board for him. High praise for my humble skills from a talented guy who has grown very particular about his shapes.

 

As a surfer, when I thought of having a child, I hoped it would be a son who would want to surf - not want to play tennis or soccer or whatever. A Surfer. I had a son. Without prodding or pushing, he became a Surfer. A better one than I ever was too…

 

He passed away yesterday under circumstances I wouldn’t wish on anyone. His Mom and sister and I will now be without the sly smile and wry wit we’ve known for the last 25 years.

 

For whatever reason, I never got to paddle out with him this summer with his/our new 5-10 that he loved. Though we shared many memorable go-outs here and in Costa Rica over many years.

 

Now, I’m to spread his ashes in both places. All this time, I thought it would be he that would be doing that to me.

 

Please, if you surf with your child, wife, best friend - whoever, do it as often and with as many smiles as you all can.

 

Pete had a pure heart in an often unpure world.

Again, sorry to lay this on any unsuspecting Sways traveler - it’s just that this place has been like home to this humble foam scraper for so long now…

The tears suck. Big Time.

If anyone is in the area - Paddle Out for my boy - Pete Harwood Jr.  - Sag Main Beach at the “cut” Saturday at noon 10/23

2

    Howzit pete, I am so sorry to hear this and you and your family are in my prayers. I just went to a funeral for a life long friend on Saturday and had a hard time holding it together. It is very hard when a parent loses a child because we are all sure that we will go first and I lost my little sister when she was only 23 and my parents never got over it.Aloha Oie.Kokua

3

Can't imagine that mate, sorry for your very hard loss. Next time you're out there im sure he will be close. Keep your head up pete

4

I'll be praying for you and your family as well. I'm so sorry this had to happen to you, and wish you and your family the best in these hard times.

God Bless.

5

I can’t express my condolences.

6

Aloha,

 

I have tears welling in my eyes

 

if theres one thing your son spread to this world it is love. You loved your son. 

 

I just biked over to my GF house and gave her a good night hug, and told her about this Pete guy who makes boards who lost a son.

 

thanks for sharing. there is a time to mourn in life. and as you pull through, may the rays of the  sun shine bright on you and your family.

 

Aloha

Stephen

 

7

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if you surf with your child, wife, best friend - whoever, do it as often and with as many smiles as you all can.

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Pete - them are words to live by, and I know you did.  May God bless you, thanks for sharing the love you had for him, and the love he had for life.

8

pete,

i’m so sorry to hear about this loss to you and your family.  my prayers are with you that you all find healing and peace in time.

9

very sorry to hear this news, cant imagine losing a child, although I loss my Dad at age 2, and never got to know him, no memories at all, so I guess you can hang onto the special memories that you guys have, stirred emotions inside me as I write this, dont know you but my heart goes out to you mate, he just might be surfing some perfect peelers somewhere.....

10

oh man, i can' even imagine..........

thoughts and prayers for you and yours

11

We lost a baby girl in 1990. I know what it is to lose someone you have known for only two months. I can only imagine what it is when you have known your child for 25 years but I can relate. Our thoughts and prayers cross the ocean in a futile attempt to ease your pain.

12

Our prayers are with you, your wife and your daughter.  Be strong for each other.  My son is just turning 12 - did his first ding repairs this summer and is stoked as all get-out on an old G and S single fin - and I can’t imagine all that joy being gone from our lives.  Sincere best wishes.

13

My family is sending love to your family......Be strong my friend......

Stingray

14

I'm going to a funeral on Thursday, 42, heart attack, on Sunday my 5 year old boy, well I guess he paddled out and caught his own 6"er, and stood up, 30mtr ride, getting close to the Greenmount rocks, oh I so hope your healing brother, that has to be the worse, lets live this precious life we have.

15

I don’t know what to say…

I’m sorry?

Be strong?

None of that makes it any better…

I’ll take your advice, and try to love my family more.

So, for that, I guess I should say… thank you.

16

Your family is YOUR family, you have to love them, they are all you have.    my son and i became surfing and snowboarding buddies after we lost his mom to cancer.  it’s 16 years later, and my son is my ‘go to’ travel partner for surf trips of the map and up the road.   he is starting his own family now, but we still surf talk…   Enjoy the memories, they are GOLD!

17

I am sorry for your loss.

I lost my father three years ago and never had the chance to surf with him.

You have to show him you love him because he is still there watching you and he always will be.

You are a blessed man to have had such a wonderful son.

18

Pete - I’m shocked to say the least, got a picture in my head of the four of us standing on the beach at Guiones talking about how good the waves were. I’m at a loss for words, too painful. I’ll see you Saturday. Regards and condolences - Pat and Cindy.

19

Pete,

Don't apologize for posting this here.  This forum,  in a way,  is a site of extended friends.  I feel humbled that you chose to include us in your loss. Proper words fail me.  I can only say that I am truly sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you and you family.  I believe all of us here are with you in our thoughts and in spirit.

20

Pete,

You are in my prayers.  I am so very sorry.