In a tragic accident that happened in 2017, a 16-year-old pro swimmer died. The young soul named Zander Venezia died while trying to surf the sizeable monstrous wave of Barbados during Hurricane Irma. Barbados Island is located in the Caribbean Region of America. The Caribbean is one of the regions where natural disasters are way too frequent. However, hurricanes occur only occasionally on Barbados Island. It happens 4 times a year on an average scale. 

But the Irma hurricane was one of the most dangerous hurricanes. It is even named after the ‘goddess of war.’ A month before the devastating incident, Venezia won a North Carolina competition with a $250 top prize. He wanted to represent his country in the 2020 Olympics, and he was preparing for it until the wild waves claimed his life. 

Mega waves of Barbados Hurricane claimed the life of 16-year-old 

Venezia was there with fellow other surfers and photographers. All the surfers were there to surf in the huge waves of Irma without having an instinct about this unpredicted future. On a Tuesday glooming morning, all the surfers were hitting their boards when one of the surfers, named Florence, spotted Venezia’s surfboard floating in the water without him. When he rushed to scrutinize, he found Venezia’s body underwater, that had been brutally hit by the waves. 

Alan Burke, the former Bajan pro-turned-surf instructor, was also available at the scene, who said there were a lot of rocks underwater on which Zander hit his head. According to Sports Illustrated, Venezia was unconsciously knocked off of his board and then drowned. Alan also said throughout the ambulance drive, Zander’s friends kept trying to revive him. Zander’s parents were recklessly waiting in the hospital. An autopsy report said Zander was breathing in the hospital, but he was unconscious. The postmortem reports revealed that Zander died of shortness of breath after drowning, and no fractures were reported. Drowning is one of the most common incidents that happen during surfing and swimming. After this tragic death, the world took to social media to express its deep condolences. 

World Surf League gave condolence to pro surfer Zander Venezia

Zander’s friends and family took to social media to reminisce about their good memories with Zander. In an interview with the People, Zander’s sister revealed her deep sorrow and pain. She said, “I normally cry saying goodbye to my mom, but I hugged Zander last and burst into tears. I guess that was some sort of my way to have a goodbye to him.” She adds,  “But I would prefer to have had another one.” Along with family and friends, the World Surf League also shared their condolence on Facebook, saying, “Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Zander Venezia.”

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Zander Venezia was a young soul when he was killed in the monstrous waves of the Irma hurricane. All of his friends wrote heartwarming messages on social media to appreciate Venezia’s courage in being a pro surfer. Unfortunately, they all had to accept this horrific reality with a heavy-heart. 

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