Giulia Manfrini, a 36-year-old Italian surfer, tragically lost her life following a freak accident involving a swordfish while surfing near the Mentawai Islands Regency in Indonesia on October 18.
According to Lahmudin Siregar, the acting head of the Mentawai Islands’ Disaster Management Agency, the swordfish “unexpectedly jumped towards Manfrini and pierced her chest.”
Despite being rushed to the Pei Pei Pasakiat Taileleu Health Center, Manfrini succumbed to her injuries. Medical reports indicated she suffered a deep wound measuring nearly two inches and showed signs of drowning.
Her colleague, James Colston, who co-founded AWAVE Travel, a surfing and snowboarding excursion company with Manfrini, described the incident as a “freak accident.”
In an Instagram post on October 18, he expressed sorrow over her loss, stating, “Unfortunately, even with the brave efforts of her partner, local resort staff, and doctors, Giulia couldn’t be saved.
We believe she died doing what she loved, in a place that she loved.”
Colston described Manfrini as the “lifeblood” of their company, noting that her vibrant personality drew people in. “Anyone was lucky to have her on board a charter or surf trip,” he added. “We love you Giulia. I am so sorry to say goodbye.”
Before pursuing her passion for surfing, Manfrini was a snowboard instructor with the Associazione Maestri Sci Italiani (Association of Italian Ski Instructors) and later received her teaching certification from the International Surfing Association.
Her bio on the AWAVE Travel website noted that she was a former professional snowboarder whose love for surfing took her around the world in search of the best waves.
In a 2022 Instagram post from the Mentawai Islands, she shared her awe of nature, writing, “Witnessing one of the most incredible and very rare phenomena on Earth: the so-called ‘GLORY,’ a full circle rainbow in the sky.”
She concluded with a sentiment of gratitude, saying, “Grateful for this life and nature!”
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