A surfer is dead after he drowned at the Bombie, a wave near Margaret River’s Main Break, where the WSL’s Margaret River Pro is held each year.
According to reports, the victim is a 54-year-old Margaret River local named Sean Anthony Lennon. Originally hailing from Newcastle, Lennon lived in Margaret River for a little over 10 years. He worked in the tourist sector, as well as having a long career as a professional swimmer and lifeguard. Lennon was no stranger to the perils of surfing off the coast of Western Australia.
At around noon on Tuesday, other surfers spotted Lennon in the water. He was unresponsive at the time, and he was pulled from the water where three ambulances met him.
“This could have happened to anyone, even biggest big-wave surfers,” said a witness who wished to remain anonymous. “It’s absolutely not a reflection on Sean in any way. He was so fit. Bombie is a big and powerful wave.”
The Bombie is well-known for its power, as well as for the long paddle that is required to surf it. It’s so far out to sea that gauging the true size of the waves is difficult until you’re already among them. Margaret River police are thanking those who tried to save Lennon’s life.
“I just put my heartfelt thanks out to the members of the community who came to assist,” said acting officer-in-charge Nathan Eley to reporters. “They helped to bring him back to land and will give the family some closure on what happened.”
In an ironic twist of fate, Lennon was a first responder in 2021 when a surfer named Frank Hayter died surfing the same wave.
