Florida Surfer Dies After Reportedly Hitting Sandbar and Striking Pier with His Head: 'We Love You Brother'

Mar. 15, 2025

Jorge Alvarado.Photo:GoFundMe

GoFundMe

A surfer in Florida has tragically died after reportedly suffering a head injury while in the water.

On Friday, Sept. 13 at around 9 a.m. local time, Jorge Alvarado, 49, of Port Orange, was reportedly surfing just south of the Sunglow Pier in Daytona Beach Shores when he hit a sandbar before becoming “tangled under the pier,” Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue said, per theDaytona Beach News-Journal.

Director Tamra Malphurs said a witness saw him “strike a piling with his head before going under in an unguarded area,” adding that it took several minutes to free him, according to the outlet.

“Sounds like the lateral current pushed him into the pier after he hit his head,” Malphurs continued.

According to an update posted on Wednesday, Sept. 18, on aGoFundMepage set up to support Alvarado and his family financially, the surfer died after being placed on life support following the incident.

“It is with a heavy heart that Jorge has passed away,” the update began. “Jorge, rest in paradise brother … Your spirit was as vibrant as the ocean waves you loved to ride. You brought joy and adventure to everyone around you.”

The pier at Daytona Beach Shores.Getty

Getty

“We’ll carry your memory with us every time we get in the water, knowing you’re out there in the surf, riding the biggest wave of all watching over each and everyone of us,” the update adds. “Rest easy Jorge Alvarado. We love you brother.”

TheGoFundMepage had raised over $14,000 before Alvarado’s death was announced.

Jorge Alvarado.Facebook

Facebook

“If you can donate, anything would be greatly appreciated. If you can’t donate, please continue to pray for Jorge and his family. Thank you to all whom help contribute financially and thank you for all of the continued prayers. We love you brother, keep fighting! ‍You got this!” the message adds.

Daytona Beach Shores.Getty

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Friend Brian Holmes said of Alvarado being known within the Volusia surf community, “He has this jovial spirit, makes fast friends with everyone. He’s kind of like all of the community youngsters, he’s almost like their uncle and dad or something."

“We’ve all taken hundreds of falls like this and some of us have had close calls, rubbing into the bottom a few times but you really have to fall just right to have an injury like this,” Holmes continued to the outlet, adding, “We love you, Jorge, we love you so much."

source: people.com