Family and friends of shark attack victim Khai Cowley gathered at Seaford Beach for a special paddle-out in his honour

Seaford Beach was the scene of an an outpouring of emotion on Saturday.

It was an inspiring tribute to a young surfer loved by so many – a huge paddle out off Seaford Beach to honour 15-year-old Khai Cowley.

The Maslin Beach teenager died after he was attacked by a shark on the Yorke Peninsula on December 28.

Family and friends, clutching wreaths and flowers, paddled out on Saturday morning as a tribute to the “super lovely kid”.

Hundreds cheered from the beach Khai’s family – including dad Tim and grandfather Peter Barley – floated on their boards into the middle of a flotilla of surfers to reflect on Khai’s life.

The paddle-out was organised by the Seaview Road Boardriders. Picture: Agnes Gichuhi

Family and Friends of Khai Cowley gathering at Seaford Beach for a touching paddle out in his honour. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Surfers gather on the shore at Seaford. Picture: 7NEWS

Mourners pour into the water Picture: Brett Hartwig

Mourners form a ring in the ocean. Picture: Brett Hartwig

An image from the WESTPAC helicopter reveals the full scene. Picture: WESTPAC Helicopter

Many of the boardriders stayed in the water to catch a few waves, while others gathered on the beach to comfort each other, and pay their condolences to Khai’s family.

Teenager Lucas Clark, who was among dozens of surfers in the paddle out, shared fond memories of Khai.

“I met him through surfing, going to my dad’s comps,” he said.

“I remember climbing through the rocks at one of the breaks and he slipped and fell and then he just looked at me and started laughing.”

“Probably one of my favourite memories with him was surfing at Southport. We were going for a wave, he dropped in on me and I came out and looked at him.

More than 110 wreaths were made for Saturday’s paddle out. Picture: Facebook

Wreaths atop surfboards. Picture: 7NEWS

A tribute for Khai. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“I was pretty angry with him and he looked at me – and he again just started laughing.”

Lucas said the support from the local community at the paddle out was “amazing”.

“I mean, the fact that we pretty much got all the Mid Coast along here, it’s really amazing to see the community come together like this,” he said adding: “I’m pretty stoked about it.”

A surfer, who’s daughter attended the same school as Khai, said it was a “fantastic send-off”. “It’s just part of our culture, it’s what we do. It’s what they all love,” said the man, who did not reveal his name.

“You get out there and see each other off in that way, so, yeah, this is normal for us. We do it for all of our friends.”

The man said Khai’s death and other recent shark attacks had left the surfing community “devastated”.

“There’s been so many attacks in the last year, so it’s scary for all of us in some way,” he said.

Mourners embrace on the beach. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Hundreds turned out for the emotional tribute. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Another embrace on the beach. Picture: Brett Hartwig (Possibly his Mum)

Surfers at the paddle out. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Khai’s friend Lucas Clark. Picture: Agnes Gichuhi

“A lot of people are hesitant to go in the water.

“But Khai was the youngest and the most heartbreaking, really, because he hadn’t fully lived his life.”

Organised by the Seaview Road Boardriders, the tribute to Khai’s life continued at the Christies Sailing Club, at Christies Beach.

Last week, hundreds of friends and family packed Seaford Beach to honour the life of the young surfer.

Six surfboards lined the beach, a skull and crossbones flag flapped gently in the breeze and the song Forever Young echoed as family, mates and residents mourned Khai at his favourite beach.

His heartbroken dad Tim Cowley said at the funeral that Khai filled people’s lives with “so many beautiful memories”.

Khai was not only a talented surfer but also played for the Port Noarlunga Football Club.

Khai was surfing with his dad at Ethel Wreck Beach when he was attacked by a shark.