Surfer Drowns At Huge Reef Break in Western Australia 

A Western Australian man drowned while surfing in Margaret River on Tuesday, according to local media reports. The Augusta Margaret River Times identified the victim as Sean Anthony Lennon. The 54-year-old was reportedly from Newcastle but had lived in the Margaret River area for over a decade. He was a former lifeguard and renowned swimmer.

Multiple outlets reported Lennon was face down in the water when emergency services arrived at Gnarabup Beach, which lies just south of Main Break, the powerful a-frame that hosts the Championship Tour annually. The Australian Broadcasting Company said it was believed Lennon “drowned at the Bombie surf break, which is located between Gnarabup and Main Break at Surfers Point.”

The Bomie is a little-known spot that is exposed to the elements, producing solid waves breaking far from shore. On the day in question, Surfline’s Margaret River historical forecast showed a solid 15-foot southwest swell and stiff offshore east winds on the coast on Tuesday. Buoys tracked the swell to be 10 feet at 16 seconds by the afternoon. 

The details of what happened to Lennon are not widely known, and the coroner’s report has not yet been made public. A police spokesman said the first responders administered first aid to Lennon, but he was declared dead at the scene. The Australian Broadcasting Company quoted Margaret River Police acting officer-in-charge Nathan Eley, who acknowledged how fellow surfers attempted to rescue Lennon. "I just put my heartfelt thanks out to the members of the community who came to assist," he said. "They helped to bring him back to land and will give the family some closure on what happened."