Experienced and amateur surfers alike have been warned to stay safe in Bali’s famous waters after Japanese surf instructor drowned at a beach nearby the Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar on Sunday, June 4.
Katanyanagi Susumo, 60-years-old, was last seen surfing at RIP beach around 6.45 pm before being swept away, according to Tribun Bali. His body was recovered at 8.05 pm.
Denpasar Water Police Chief Comr. I Ketut Suparta said the victim was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
“The victim was good at surfing and an instructor. He was often on (competition) juries,” Suparta told Tribun Bali.
While investigations are continuing, Suparta suggested Susumo’s age may have been a contributing factor.
Surfing deaths are not common at the tourist island but do happen, including for experienced surfers.
Cameron Munro, a 21-year-old British surfing instructor, drowned off Bali in March last year despite a high degree of skill.
“He was such an experienced surfer, we are all trying to figure out what happened,” a former colleague of Munro’s told British media.