In a tragic turn of events in the surfing and larger sports communities, rising surfing star Katherine Diaz passed away on Friday after getting struck by lightning during a training session.
According to TMZ, Diaz, 22, was greeting a friend while she was training at popular surf spot El Tunco when they were both struck directly. Even more tragically, the lightning storm that took her life apparently appeared out of nowhere, with initially clear skies, according to Inside Hook.
Katherine Diaz was set to compete in the ISA World Surf Games in May in order to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics later just this summer and was a beloved fixture in the El Salvador surfing community. She had recently represented the country in the World Surfing Games, and was apparently competing since a very young age, as evidenced by an appearance at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.
In their statement about Diaz’s passing, the International Surfing Association (ISA) paid tribute with the following words:
“Katherine Diaz embodied the joy and energy that make surfing so special and dear to us all, as a global ambassador of the sport. She excelled at the international competition level, representing her country with pride at both the ISA World Surfing Games and ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.”
“We send our heartfelt condolences to Katherine’s family, the surfers of El Salvador, and to all those in the international surfing community whose lives she touched.”“We will never forget you.”
Sadly, we will never get to see what could have become of such a promising career for such a positive force in the world of surfing. No more fitting words could never have been said. Rest in peace Katherine Diaz, and thank you for what you have given to the ancient sport of surfing.
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