Latest news with #AipaSurf
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
Grandson of SoCal surfing legend dies after e-bike accident
The grandson of a celebrated Southern California surfboard builder died this week after being critically injured in an e-bike accident. Huntington Beach resident Kolby Aipa, 20, died Tuesday. A spokesman for the city Police Department, Corbin Carson, said that Aipa was being towed by a car full of friends on Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday night when he lost control of his e-bike and was struck by the same car that had been towing him. Aipa is the grandson of Ben Aipa, a member of the Surfing Walk of Fame and Surfers' Hall of Fame who died in 2021 at the age of 78. Ben Aipa was a competitive surfer who became famous for shaping boards, inventing the surfboard swallow tail and adding the 'sting,' a wing along the rail ahead of the tail, to make the board go faster. Kolby Aipa had been on life support, but the family, which owns the Orange County company Aipa Surf, posted on social media Tuesday afternoon that he had died of his injuries. 'We are completely heartbroken,' read the statement posted to Aipa Surf. 'We wanted to thank all the visitors, supporters, food deliveries, donations, flowers, cards, countless stories and photos his friends have shared with us, Drs and nurses that have taken care of our sweet boy. The H.B. community and everyone around the world have touched our hearts in an unimaginable way. 'Thank you for loving our boy. Kolby always had a way with touching the lives of whoever he met. His acts of kindness and caring was his gift of Aloha to friends and strangers alike. To everyone that reads this ... pass his Aloha on. So, how Kolby treated you, treat others in that same way ...In this you are continuing his legacy of Aloha. And you too can be like Kolby. Remember him and tell the world that #iamkolby.' The accident occurred at 10:08 p.m. Saturday night, near the intersection of Seapoint Street and Pacific Coast Highway, Carson said. Aipa, critically injured, was taken to UCI Medical Center. There have been no arrests but the investigation is ongoing, Carson said. Police closed Pacific Coast Highway in both directions late Saturday night due to what they termed a 'major traffic collision investigation.' Northbound lanes were closed at Seapoint Street, with southbound lanes closed at Warner Avenue. A GoFundMe to support the Aipa family was set up by the Pai family, owners of Huntington Surf and Sport. As of Tuesday evening it had raised more than $61,000. Aipa Surf is a surf apparel, surfboards and accessories company. Ben Aipa founded the brand in 1970.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Rising star surfer, 20, dies in freak accident after letting car tow him while he rode e-bike
A rising star surfer tragically died at just 20 years old after being towed by a car on his e-bike on California 's iconic Pacific Coast Highway. Kolby Aipa, 20, died Tuesday from injuries he suffered on Saturday when he was struck by the vehicle towing him in Huntington Beach, police said. Aipa lost control of his bike while being towed by a friend driving a Toyota Tacoma around 10pm. The driver is not suspected of being impaired at the time of the accident. Emergency responders transported the surfer to UCI Medical Center, where died three days later, the Los Angeles Times reported. An investigation into the accident remains ongoing, police said. Friends, family and community members gathered on Tuesday night to honor Aipa, whose family owns the surfboard and apparel company Aipa Surf. He was remembered as a kind, caring young man and a talented surfer who followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Ben Aipa, a member of the Surfing Walk of Fame and Surfers' Hall of Fame. Aipa Surf, founded by Ben Aipa in 1970, put out a statement saying the family was 'completely heartbroken.' 'Kolby always had a way with touching the lives of whoever he met,' the statement said. 'His acts of kindness and caring was his gift of Aloha to friends and strangers alike' A friend wrote on Instagram: 'Kolby lit up every room he walked in. He loved and cared about everyone matter our differences. He never let me go through any challenge or struggle alone. He was the strongest person I've ever met. 'I'm so grateful I got to spend countless memories with you Kolby. You always pushed me to be better. You helped me through my darkest times. You impacted my life and my family like no other.' The Huntington Beach Board Riders Club remembered the young surfer as a 'rare soul who left a lasting impression on everyone he met.' 'He was kind, respectful, and a strong spirit. He was always polite, and quick to lend a hand,' the club said. 'Kolby was a remarkable young man and surfer. He had the kind of integrity you don't see everyday. He looked you in the eye when he spoke to you and he made his family very proud.' A message from the City of Huntington Beach said the community was 'deeply saddened by the passing of Kolby Aipa,' describing him as a 'talented and beloved young member of our surfing community.' 'Kolby's passion for the ocean and the sport of surfing left a lasting impression on Surf City, but it was his kindness, compassion, and way of touching the lives of everyone he met that made him truly unforgettable.' Mayor Pat Burns added: 'Our hearts are with the Aipa family during this difficult time. Kolby's spirit, talent, and Aloha will forever be remembered in Huntington Beach. We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to his loved ones.' A GoFundMe launched to help lay the young surfer to rest has raised over $74,000 as of Wednesday morning 'To everyone that read this... pass his Aloha on. So, how Kolby treated you, treat others in that same way,' the fundraiser said.
Los Angeles Times
6 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
Huntington Beach man fights for his life after e-bike accident
A Huntington Beach man was fighting for life Monday after he was critically injured in an e-bike accident on Saturday night. Family members and police have identified the man as Kolby Aipa, 20. 'Yes our baby boy is in the fight of his life, he IS still with us though,' his mother, Val Aipa, posted on social media late Sunday night. Huntington Beach police spokesman Corbin Carson said Monday that Aipa was being towed by a car of people that he was associated with on Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday night when he lost control of his e-bike and was struck by the same car that had been towing him. The accident occurred at 10:08 p.m. Saturday night, near the intersection of Seapoint Street and Pacific Coast Highway, Carson said. Aipa, critically injured, was taken to UCI Medical Center. There have been no arrests but the investigation is ongoing, Carson said. Police closed Pacific Coast Highway in both directions late Saturday night due to what they termed a 'major traffic collision investigation.' Northbound lanes were closed at Seapoint Street, with southbound lanes closed at Warner Avenue. A GoFundMe to support the Aipa family was set up by the Pai family, owners of Huntington Surf and Sport. As of mid-Monday afternoon it had raised nearly $40,000. Aipa Surf is a local surf apparel, surfboards and accessories company. Kolby Aipa's grandfather, Ben, founded the brand in 1970, creating the influential 'sting' design soon after.
