An Italian surfer suffered a fatal injury after being impaled by a swordfish on Oct. 18.
Giulia Manfrini, 36, was surfing the waters off Indonesia’s West Sumatra coast when a swordfish “unexpectedly jumped towards Manfrini and pierced her chest,” according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Her death was confirmed by Lahmudin Siregar, acting head of the Mentawai Islands’ Disaster Management Agency.
Two of her friends were nearby when the incident happened and rushed to her aid before being taken to the Pei Pei Pasakiat Taileleu Health Center, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
According to medical reports, which were obtained by ABC, Manfrini suffered a “5-centimetre deep wound to her chest and showed signs of drowning” at the time of her death.
The report also indicated that “the victim’s nose was foaming, suggesting oxygen deprivation from drowning,” according to Stab Magazine.
Her body was transported to Padang City and will be repatriated to Italy, according to ABC.
Manfrini died ‘doing what she loved’
On Oct. 19, as news of her death went viral, Manfrini’s close colleague, James Colston, released a statement in which he described her death as a “freak accident.”
“Giulia couldn’t travel without people falling in love with her smile, laugh and endless Stoke,” he wrote in an Instagram caption. “We believe she died doing what she loved, in a place that she loved.”
“We value your kind words, memories of Giulia and all that she leaves behind,” he continued. “We love you Giulia. I am so sorry to say goodbye.
According to LinkedIn, Manfrini was a snowboard instructor with the Association of Italian Ski Instructors before becoming a surf instructor with the International Surfing Association.
In 2020, Manfrini and Colston co-founded AWAVE Travel, a surfing and snowboarding excursion company that will still be operating in the wake of her death.
“Giulia was the lifeblood of this company and her infectious enthusiasm for surf, snow and life will be remembered by all that came in contact with her,” Colston continued.
Tributes continue to pour in for Manfrini
As tributes continue to pour in, we’re starting to see just how much of an impact Manfrini had on those who had the pleasure of knowing her.
One fellow surfer, Frankie Smithurst, will remember her for her “overflowing excitement for life.”
In an interview with ABC, he praised Manfrini for her “huge heart which matched her huge smile,” and called her an “extremely selfless person who truly loved life.”
Fabio Giulivi, the mayor of Venaria Reale, Manfrini’s hometown, shared his condolences in a translated post on Facebook.
“To mum Chiara, dad Giorgio and all the people who loved her, a touched hug from me and the whole City,” he wrote.
Her bio on the AWAVE Travel website describes her as an “ex-pro snowboarder” who “loves a good mix of adventure and luxury.”
One Instagram post from May 2022 shows that she was no stranger to the Mentawai Islands as she posed underneath a full-circle rainbow in the sky.
“When not organizing trips, you’ll find her waves and powder hunting, song-writing, dancing & playing beach volley!” her bio adds.
