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Los Angeles Times
07-08-2025
- 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.
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Yahoo
Son of Star Surfers Dies at 20 After E-Bike Accident in California
Kolby Aipa died after he was critically injured in an e-bike accident off the Pacific Coast HighwayNEED TO KNOW Kolby Aipa died on Aug. 5 after suffering injuries from an e-bike accident on California's Pacific Coast Highway a few days prior The Huntington Beach resident was being towed by a car of people he was associated with before he lost control and was struck by the same vehicle Kolby comes from a respected family of surfers as the son of Duke Aipa and grandson of legendary Hawaiian shaper Ben AipaKolby Aipa died on Tuesday, Aug. 5, after sustaining injuries from an e-bike accident. He was 20 years old. The Huntington Beach resident, who is the son of Duke Aipa and grandson of legendary Hawaiian shaper Ben Aipa, was critically injured after being towed on his electric bike in California on the Saturday before his death. Kolby was struck on Aug. 2 by the vehicle that was towing him around 10:08 p.m. PT near the intersection of Seapoint Street and Pacific Coast Highway, said Huntington Beach police spokesman Corbin Carson, according to the Los Angeles Times. The people towing the car were known to Kolby, who lost control of his e-bike and was hit by the same vehicle pulling him, according to Carson. Kolby was critically injured in the incident and taken to UCI Medical Center. No arrests were made, but the investigation is ongoing, Carson said. Kolby is the son of Duke and his wife Val, and has a sister named Sky. His family company, Aipa Surf — a local surf apparel, surfboards and accessories brand — posted an update shortly after the incident on their Instagram page. "Please everyone pray for our son Kolby. He was in accident and is fighting for his life. Please pray for him to be healed," read the post. On Wednesday, Aug. 6, the Aipa Surf Instagram page announced the tragic news of Kolby's death. "This is the hardest post we will ever make. We at Aipa Surf, @dukeaipa @valaipa and @leilani_skysky wanted to share the devastating news that our sweet boy @kolby_aipa has passed. We are completely heartbroken 💔," began the caption. "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 post continued. "The HB community and everyone around the world have touched our hearts in an unimaginable way," the family penned. "Thank you for loving our boy." The caption ended with a heartfelt tribute to Kolby. "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," the post read. "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 caption concluded. A GoFundMe was organized by the Pai family, owners of Huntington Surf and Sport, in support of the Aipas. It has raised over $74,000 as of Thursday, Aug. 7. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Kolby, who was a gifted surfer in his own right, was raised in a Hawaiian family of notable surfers. His grandfather Ben was a Honolulu-born surfer, board shaper and coach who invented the iconic Sting design. Ben was inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame in 2009. He was also named one of the "Top Ten Shapers of All Time" by Surfing Magazine in 2004. Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
07-08-2025
- 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.
