Tributes Pour In for Legendary Waterman Tamayo Perry After Fatal Shark Attack

Professional surfer and lifeguard Tamayo Perry tragically died on Sunday following a shark attack off the coast of Oahu. Perry, also known for his work as an actor and stuntman, was surfing at Malaekahana Beach on Oahu’s North Shore when the attack occurred in the early afternoon. He was 49 years old.

Perry was brought ashore by Jet Ski but was pronounced dead at the scene, as confirmed by Honolulu Emergency Services Department spokeswoman Shayne Enright during a press conference. Enright urged the public for understanding and patience as the community processes this tragic loss.

Kurt Lager, the acting chief of the ocean safety department, praised Perry as a world-class surfer and a beloved lifeguard. “Tamayo’s personality was infectious,” Lager noted. “And as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.”

Perry leaves behind his wife of over 20 years, Emilia Perry, with whom he co-operated a surf academy. Tributes to Perry, who was born in Hawaii, have been flooding social media following news of his death. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi honored him as a “legendary waterman.”

In addition to his achievements in surfing and lifeguarding, Perry had notable roles in Hollywood, featuring in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise and “Hawaii Five-O.”

Despite the rarity of shark attacks, there has been a noted increase in incidents and fatalities in 2023, as reported by the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File (ISAF). The ISAF recorded 69 unprovoked shark bites worldwide last year, with 10 resulting in death. The National Ocean Service notes that out of more than 300 species of sharks, only about a dozen are typically involved in human attacks, often due to confusion or curiosity.