Tributes continue to flow for bodyboarder Dylan Carpenter after he died at Fingal Head
DYLAN Carpenter was counting the days until his 21st birthday. Now, his friends, family and former classmates are mourning the far-too-short life of the young man who loved surfing, travelling and partying.
Beaches & Fishing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Beaches & Fishing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
DYLAN Carpenter was counting the days until his 21st birthday.
The former Kingscliff High student was loving life — surfing, travelling and partying with his mates.
THIS DANGEROUS BEACH WON’T BE CLOSED
Yesterday, almost 100 friends and family gathered on Fingal beach with flowers to remember the local “lad” who touched so many lives.
Few words were spoken as they placed flowers in the surf. Friends and family hugged each other and openly sobbed until rain forced them to shelter.
Some spoke to members of the surf club to ensure their message of “thank you” got through to the right people.
Dylan, a Kingscliff local, was at Fingal with a group of mates when tragedy struck on Sunday.
Aaron Weiss said his little brother was at the beach with Dylan and was involved in the search.
“My little brother was Dylan’s best mate ... he was at the beach and helped look for him ... it was pretty heavy,” he said.
Dylan had surfed at Fingal and similar coastal beaches hundreds of times. The 20-year-old had started surfing as a young grommet and friends said he had no fear when it came to the water.
Friends also spoke of Dylan’s generous nature and genuine attitude.
“He was a great person, a top person,” Mitchell Purse, 22, of Coolangatta said.
“He’d give you the shirt off his back ... he’d do anything for anyone, he was the most loveliest person, just ask anyone.”
Mr Purse said he had known Dylan for a number of years and had met him through mutual friends.
“It doesn’t feel real just yet. It’s just devastating.”
When asked what Dylan did, high school friend Jordan Noakes, 20, said his friend just loved to surf, party and hang with his mates.
“He was a bloody good bloke,” Mr Noakes said.
Other friends said he was mature for his age, put family above everything and gave great advice.
On Facebook and Instagram Dylan shared dozens of photos of himself with his parents, Natalie Gammell and Jason Carpenter, with his siblings; Hayden, Kyle and Ava.
The sudden loss has hit the close-knit family hard, with brother Hayden posting on Facebook: “My protector and partner in crime — love you forever brother”.
Dylan shared photos of himself partying with friends at music festivals, on a trip to New Zealand and celebrating 21st birthdays, posting he couldn’t wait for his own.
The family are long-time locals in the northern NSW area and the small community is rallying around them.
Family friend Lauren Miller shared a photo collage of Dylan to Facebook with the words:
“We love you to the moon and back Dylan. You are a beautiful boy, son, brother, nephew, grandson and friend. Our hearts are broken, you have been taken to soon. Sending you all the love in the world, and extra love and strength to you Kyle, H, Ava, Nat and Jas we love you all. Rest beautiful boy”.
Police are preparing a report for the Coroner and his family have vowed to release funeral details on social media.
