Kolby Aipa, Heir to Surf Royalty, Honored with Memorial Paddle-Out

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Aug 18, 2025 5:48 PM ET

A few weeks back, tragedy struck the Huntington Beach, CA surf community and beyond, when 20-year-old Kolby Aipa died following an e-bike accident.

Aipa was an up-and-coming surfer, sponsored by a grip of brands, a member of the Huntington Beach Boardriders club, and bona fide surf royalty. He was the grandson of legendary Hawaiian surfer and shaper, Ben Aipa, who was the godfather of the swallowtail and sting surfboard designs. And news of Kolby’s untimely departure hit hard.

As imagined, the Aipa Ohana have been grieving since the loss. But they have made plans to celebrate Kolby’s life with a memorial paddle-out.

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A post shared by Aipa® Surf Co. (@aipasurf)

The details are as follows:

9AM, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2025
NORTHSIDE OF THE HB PIER
ON THE SAND AT WATER’S EDGE, BY LIFEGUARD TOWER 2

Eulogizing their fallen, Aipa Surf Co added:

“Kolby always had a way with touching the lives of whoever he met. His acts of kindness and caring was his gift of Aloha to friends and strangers alike. To everyone that reads this... pass his Aloha on. So, how Kolby treated you, treat others in that same way...In this, you are continuing his legacy of Aloha. And you too can be like Kolby.”

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A post shared by Aipa® Surf Co. (@aipasurf)

Additionally, the Aipa family celebrated the birthday of Ben, who died in 2021. And they were comforted that the two were reunited in the great beyond:

“I’m sure you have already reconnected with him and are in a heavenly embrace catching up on the unreal things he has done here in this world.

“Please take good care of him now in the great beyond as you did when he was a young boy.”

Donations to the Aipa Ohana are still being collected here.

Rest in peace, Kolby Aipa.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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