A woman died just a day after graduating from nursing school while surfing at Moonstone Beach in California.
On Sunday, May 14, witnesses observed Martina Marie Scarfia, a 25-year-old resident of Eureka, surfing alongside another woman. Suddenly, she fell off her surfboard and was overwhelmed by the force of the waves, as stated in a press release by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office on May 15.
A beachgoer swam out to rescue Scarfia, risking their safety. The US Coast Guard swiftly intervened and transported her to a nearby hospital, but unfortunately, her injuries proved fatal.
Just the day before the tragic incident, Scarfia had proudly graduated from the College of the Redwoods nursing program. Her sister, Asia Autumn Scarfia-Ward, expressed deep admiration for her accomplishments, sharing heartfelt sentiments on Facebook. The family came together to celebrate Scarfia’s achievements and took one last collective surf, a symbolic farewell.
Moonstone Beach, located approximately 300 miles northwest of Sacramento, is a renowned surfing spot, attracting enthusiasts from all over.
In a separate incident, a man lost his life while surfing the Oregon coast on April 15. The 51-year-old surfer was discovered unconscious near the Cove, a renowned surf spot known for its challenging conditions, in Seaside, Oregon. Upon being found by his friends in the water, he was unresponsive and lying face down. Immediate efforts were made by bystanders who performed CPR on the beach before fire and rescue teams arrived. Subsequently, he was transported to a local hospital, where medical professionals later pronounced him dead.
