WA surfers commemorate shark victim

Family and friends of Perth shark attack victim Ben Linden have paid tribute to the 24-year-old who was killed two weeks ago.

Friends of shark attack victim Ben Linden, inset, at Brighton Beach in Perth this morning. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij Source: PerthNow

Dozens of people gathered at Perth’s Scarborough Beach this morning before performing a traditional surfers farewell several hundred metres offshore.

Mr Linden was killed by a large great white while surfing north of Perth earlier this month.

It was the fifth fatal attack off the Western Australian coast in the past 10 months.

Ms Linden’s girlfriend, Alana Noakes, told today’s gathering to rejoice in their memories of the 24-year-old.

“Surfing was his soul, his life, his culture and his passion,” Ms Noakes said.

“Ben respected the beauty and power of the ocean and all the risks involved in surfing.”

“Nothing would have stopped him riding waves. He loved mother nature in all her glory and is now in her arms eternally.”

Source: ABC News