“Still a Lot of Hurt Tears”: 2 Weeks After a Bride’s Saddening Fate on Her Wedding, Surfing Community Comes Together in a Wonderful Gesture

In different cultures and communities, people have varied ways of honoring their dead. Some might plant trees, or hold special events in the memory of their loved ones who have passed. People might even get tattoos or write memoirs or poems in their remembrance. This particular surfing community had a special way of honoring a lost friend.

Folly Beach is a small city in South Carolina, situated on Folly Island. It is famous for Folly Beach Pier and has a thriving surfing community as well. When a surfer and a friend were taken from this community, it hit them hard. They said goodbye to their fallen companion with a heart-warming gesture.

Surfing community comes together to pay tribute to late bride

People living in Folly Beach absolutely adore the ocean. And to pay homage to their fallen companion, they made use of their affinity for the ocean. On Saturday, a paddle-out was organized by the community, in remembrance of the late bride, Samantha Hutchinson. Hutchinson lost her life about two weeks ago, and sadly, it was on her wedding day when the unfortunate accident took place.

According to a YoutTube video covering the event posted by WCBD News 2, when Samantha Hutchinson was riding a golf cart, a drunk driver in a truck hit the golf cart. As a result of the accident, Hutchinson lost her life. She left behind an entire community of people who care about her. When Saturday came, people from all across the island gathered to paddle out into the ocean as a goodbye to Hutchinson. According to a report on the incident by News 2, organizer of the paddle out, Carrie Rosen, said, “It’s what the people on Folly know best. This is the true spirit of Folly… surfing. When we like to honor somebody as surfers, we do these paddle-outs.”

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Hundreds of people came to the paddle out to support the families holding flowers with Hutchinson’s name on them, including the man she married, Eric, his wedding ring still on his finger. Another organizer of the paddle out, Bill Kufner, said, “It’s hit everybody very hard, there’s still a lot of hurt, tears being shed with the groom being here and the parents of Samantha…” Kufner also added that Folly Beach was considered to be the best place to see off Samantha Hutchinson for one last time, as that is where the wedding took place.

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The love, care, and support shown by the surfing community of Folly Beach are indeed touching. The tremendous support will ensure that Samantha’s family knows that in this difficult time, they are not alone in their grief.