Hawaii Mourns Death Of Beloved Oahu Filmer

Day after day, season after season, Ramon stood on the sand or in the shallows, at Waikīkī, Ala Moana, Kaisers, or anywhere along the North Shore’s fabled Seven Mile Miracle, filming  beginners, pros, uncles, aunties, kids just learning to paddle—Ramon filmed them all with the same respect and joy, and reveled in sharing his clips or them.

“Words will never express how I feel after hearing that our beloved friend is no longer with us,” wrote Matt Vasquez, who first worked with Ramon on his first surf film when he was just 19 years old. “My heart aches to hear this. Ramon has been a HUGE part of my imprint in the surf community! For those who don’t know, he created my first surf film called “La Muerte” (please check it out in his honor). I was 19 at the time and this was also the first time I was on the Nobody Surf social media account! I will never forget the countless early meet ups that we had to film La Muerte."

"The last I talked to Ramon was in the clip above at our recent premiere of “Choco Leche” with MidFin and Daniel Dekkers.”

“I wanted to share this clip because I’m so unbelievably happy with my last words to Ramon, thanking him for what he had done for me. We even talked for another minute or two after the camera stopped just sharing our thoughts about each other & the growth we had! Nothing will ever change the feeling of sadness that death holds but all I can do now is be thankful that I was a part of his life.”

What made his work extraordinary wasn’t just the thousands upon thousands of waves he preserved on film, but the way he made each surfer feel seen—local watermen and women, the up-and-comers, the old-school legends, the everyday folk just chasing a quick wave. He remembered everyone’s name, asked about their families, and celebrated their surfing progress as if it were his own. 

For many, Ramon was their first highlight reel, their chronicler, and their biggest supporter. For others, he was simply a safe, steady presence—someone who made the beach feel more like home. His calm energy, his encouraging words, his open heart: these were as much a part of his gift to the Oahu surf community as his camera. Many will remember him not just for the footage he captured, but for the quiet generosity he showed in person, greeting surfers after a good day, offering smiles and humble praise, and always being ready to lend a hand or give a lift to someone in need. Those who felt shy, or new to the lineup, found a friend; those who’d been surfing for decades found respect and admiration.

Beyond his surf videos, Ramon took that sense of community even further through his leadership of the Oahu Surf Film Festival. As Festival Director, from 2022 through 2024 he welcomed filmmakers from Hawaiʻi and around the world, curated screenings that celebrated surf culture — from short docs to environmental pieces to indigenous storytelling — and brought people together to appreciate the art of surf film. 

He leaves behind not only reels of surf films, but also countless lives touched — surfers, filmmakers, friends, curious bystanders — who carry with them the warmth and kindness he gave so freely. The surf won’t feel the same without him, but his spirit will be felt every summer swell that rolls into Ala Moana, every winter set that barrels down Sunset Beach.

Ramon’s legacy lives in the footage he leaves behind, but even more in the countless friendships, smiles, and moments of encouragement he offered so freely.  You can check out Ramon’s deep archive of Hawaii clips, more than 900 videos in total, here on YouTube and here on Nobody Surf.

Rest In Power, Ramon Brockington.