Hundreds of mourners have gathered to pay tribute to a 15-year-old surfer who was killed in a horror shark attack.
On December 28, Khai Cowley traveled four hours from his home in Seaford, Adelaide to South Australia's Yorke Peninsula with his father, Tim Cowley, to practice his surf skills.
The teenager was surfing at Ethel Beach at Innes National Park, about 175 miles from Adelaide when his leg was bitten off by a suspected great white shark, as reported by The Independent.
Khai's father was on the beach when his son was brought to shore by a witness following the brutal attack, helplessly watching as emergency medics were unable to revive him.
Huge crowds gathered at Seaford on Monday (January 22) to pay tribute to the late teen, as the local council revealed on Facebook that more than 500 guests were set to attend the vigil.
"Council has been advised that a gathering of more than 500 guests is anticipated to honor and remember the 15-year-old—who was a cherished son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend, surfing and football club teammate, and student - alongside Khai’s favorite wave, the Bowl, at the end of Seaford Road, Esplanade," they penned.
Flowers and tributes were set up on the young boy's favorite beach, with touching messages left from some of the surfer's friends such as "Forever in our hearts Khai. It has been a pleasure sharing the waves with you over the years and I will miss you so much. Forever a much-loved bowl rat," according to the Daily Mail.
One attendee shared a moving post on their social media page, writing: "Honoured to attend the celebration of the life of Khai Cowley this morning. Such a magical location to celebrate the life of Khai. Taken way too soon. His family were amazing and it was the most moving ceremony. #livelikekhai peace."
Khai's heartbroken father was among devastated family members at the gathering.
He emotionally spoke about his beloved son's life in front of the 500 attendees, saying: "We miss you so much. You filled our lives with so many beautiful memories. I’m so sorry it went the way it did. It's so cruel that he’s been taken from us at such a young age."
Tim opened up about Khai's love of surfing in the South, revealing that it began when the teen was about seven years old when he joined the Micro Groms Junior Surf Club.
"Before we knew it, all of our weekends were taken up with chasing waves," he said, per ABC. "He then joined Seaview Road Boardriders when he was around 10, where he started competing in senior competitions."
"Most of the time it was beyond my ability, leaving me no choice but to sit on the beach and watch my beautiful boy do what he loved," adding that he cherished those surf trips the most.
Jett also paid tribute to "the best big brother ever," sharing: "I love him so much. I'm really gonna miss hanging out with him and teaching me cool stuff."
A wooden bench seat facing the water was ornamented with flowers, shells, and images of the late boy with his friends.
At the end of the service, attendees were invited to sprinkle sand collected from 41 surf locations across the state into the ocean, before they formed a guard of honor.
The Seaview Road Boardriders will hold a paddle-out event on Saturday (January 27) at the Bowl at Seaford.
Our thoughts are with Khai's family and friends at this devastating time.
