How Zac Young's decision to delay trip to Melbourne so he could go surfing with his friends proved tragically fatal

ZAC Young was passionate about two things - God and surfing. But his decision to delay his trip to Melbourne to join Christian Surfers proved fatal.

ZAC Young was passionate about two things - God and surfing.

The 19-year-old wanted to combine the two to spread the message about his faith and was supposed to head to Melbourne last Saturday where he was set to become a mission co-ordinator with Christian Surfers.

But a last-minute change of plans tragically cost him his life.

Instead he went surfing with friends at Campbells Beach, north of Coffs Harbour, where he was mauled by a 3m tiger shark.

News_Image_File: A tribute left under a swing on Campbells Beach for Zac Young, 19, of Port Macquarie who died after being attacked by a shark. News_Image_File: Friends of Zac Young have left tributes to him throughout Campbells Beach. News_Image_File: The police launch had to order swimmers out of the water in Coffs Harbour yesterday after another sighting of a shark.

Before he passed away from his injuries, he told his friends Kurt Gillan, Lindsy Isaac and Shayden Schrader, who valiantly tried to save his life: "I love you guys".

Daryl Carter from Youth For Christ (YFC), where Mr Young was an intern, was not surprised those were his last words.

"He always told you that he loved you,'' he said. Mr Carter said Zac had plans to set up a Christian Surfers branch in Port Macquarie to help others, working in partnership with YFC.

Mr Carter said he was meant to head to Melbourne on Saturday but had changed his plans and instead was going on Sunday.

"Sadly, he didn't make it," he said.

As an intern, Zac ran programs in schools based on goals, values, relationships, self-esteem and respect.

News_Module: NND MultiPromo Sharks Interactive

Just last Wednesday he made a presentation to year nine students at Westport High School.

He also helped to run weekly meetings which took place at the skate park at his hometown of Port Macquarie's Town Beach.

It was here that he handed out food and connected with at-risk young people in his community.

Every second Sunday he would meet with up to 50 surfers, aged 17-25, where they would hit the waves before talking about God.

News_Image_File: Paddle out memorial service for shark attack victim Zac Young at Town Beach in Port Macquarie

He even opened his home to those who needed help, offering a bed, food and advice.

Mr Carter said Zac would talk with young and old, and listen to stories about their lives.

He said he even helped to save the life of one teenager who felt he had been rejected by his peers, simply by talking to him.

"He was thankful that Zac had taken the time to talk with him, that's just who he was, he made an impact on people's lives,'' Mr Carter said.

News_Image_File: Memorial service for shark attack victim Zac Young at The Point Church in Port Macquarie. Zac's father Kevin Young is hugged by Lindsy Isaac who was with Zac when the attack happened

Coffs Harbour Mayor Denise Knight said Zac's death was a shock to the community.

"The community will always pull together in, particularly, regional areas," she told Macquarie Radio yesterday.

Meanwhile, a police launch at Coffs Harbour yesterday ordered swimmers out of the water after a shark was sighted in the area.

Zac's death followed a fatal shark attack at Gracetown in Western Australia.

News_Image_File: Paddle out memorial service for shark attack victim Zac Young at Town Beach in Port Macquarie. LtR Kurt Gillan 18, Shayden Shrader 15 and Lindsy Isaac 14, the 3 boys who were with Zac at the time of the attack and helped pull him from the water. Pic Nathan Edwards

BIOLOGIST HOPES TO IDENTIFY SHARK SPECIES WHICH TOOK ZAC

News_Image_File: Zac Young was attacked at Campbells Beach.

News_Image_File: Zac Young was killed by a shark near Coffs Harbour.

News_Image_File: Mourners gather at the beach for a paddle out memorial service in honour of shark attack victim Zac Young.

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