San Diego In Mourning After Sea Claims Beloved Coronado Surf Coach Stan Searfus

The family of a Coronado surf coach and father of six who died Friday is thanking the public for the huge outpouring of support.

Stan Searfus, 56, went out in the waters off Sunset Cliffs yesterday morning and all that came back was his surfboard. Lifeguards conducted aerial and water search for the Coronado Middle and High school surf coach and later located him unresponsive.

Searfus was in the water for about an hour before he was found, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue. He died before paramedics were able to bring him to a hospital.

Friday, Coronado residents gathered near CHS to remember Searfus:

“[Searfus] advocated for, and encouraged, opportunities for our students to experience and appreciate nature with care and compassion,” a statement from Coronado Unified School District Superintendent Karl Mueller read. “Stan’s passion for surfing, the ocean, and the environment was infectious-his influence over the youth in our town cannot be overstated.”

The founder of Searfus’ fundraising effort, Lindsay Maphet, wrote online that he was a selfless person with a passion for teaching.

“He was passionate about the youth in his community and would lend a hand to anyone who needed. His selflessness and joy for life was absolutely tangible by anyone who was in his presence. After meeting him just once, he would call you his friend,” Maphet wrote.

According to the fundraiser, Searfus leaves behind his wife, Janice, and six children: Hank, Oskar, Clark, Berkeley, and twins Jake and Josh. source

Sunset Cliffs is a neighborhood in the Point Loma community of San Diego, California. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, Ocean Beach on the north, Catalina Blvd. and Santa Barbara St.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends at this difficult time.