Coast surfer to be farewelled with mass paddle-out

Drowned Gold Coast surfer Anthony Karos will be farewelled in a moving ceremony at his home break this weekend.

A popular Gold Coaster killed in an Easter surfing tragedy will be honoured with an emotional “paddle-out” at his local surf spot this weekend.

Anthony ”A.K.” Karos, a 48-year-old father-of-three and well-known accountant from Currumbin Valley, died during a family holiday surf at Minnie Water on the NSW north coast on Sunday.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter winched him from the water but he could not be revived, with reports his leg rope may have become snagged on rocks.

Gold Coast surfer Anthony Karos, who drowned while surfing at Minnie Water on Easter Sunday

Mr Karos was described in online tributes as a ‘beautiful soul’, ‘the life of the party’ and ‘a big kid at heart’ who was devoted to his family – wife Trudi and daughters Lili, Lexi and Indi – and to surfing.

Devastated friends and family have organised a paddle-out at Currumbin Alley at 7am on Saturday.

Dozens of boardriders are expected to take part in the ceremony – a moving send-off where surfers paddle into the ocean, form a circle and pay tribute to their departed loved one.

Anthony Karos

Flowers are usually cast into the sea and ashes are sometimes scattered during paddle-outs.

Mr Karos was one of two surfers who drowned on the NSW north coast on Easter Sunday, with a 64-year-old also dying at Hat Head.

Police are preparing reports on both tragedies for the NSW coroner.