RIP Mr Jones

The PE surf community lost one of its local legends on Tuesday afternoon. Vaughan Jones, known as Mr Jones to many, passed away whilst surfing Rincon.

It appears as if he may have suffered a heart attack. Andre Venter recounts what happened:

“Vaughan had just paddled back to the line-up after a kiff wave and the guys in the water said he slipped off his board and was floating on his back as if he was relaxing or getting too hot. Then when a set came through they realized something was wrong as he did not get back onto his board. Four guys paddled over and put him on a board and brought him to the beach. They started with CPR before medics arrived, and then the medics tried their best for at least 20 to 30 minutes. They said his lungs were filled with water. His heart did give a flutter at one stage but it was to no avail, all our hearts just sunk as a great surfer and friend surfed his last wave.....”

You only need to read the tributes being posted about him to know he was a special man, held dear in the hearts of so many.

I met Vaughan out at Millers, on one of his infrequent visits down the beach – given that he was the ultimate Pipe Local. Spent many a lull discussing board shapes and fin configurations, and have him to thank for getting me onto a quad fin set-up. He was just so enthusiastic about his quad Vetkoek from Dennis that the next board I ordered was a quad, and have never been back on a thruster since.

Many of you may not know, but it was actually Vaughan’s idea for Dennis to design and start producing the Vetkoek, so anyone out there riding one – catch your next wave for Vaughan to say thanks.

A week before I left for Maldives I’d asked John to get me Vaughan’s cell number as wanted to get hold of him to lend him a set of the new Hanalai quad fins I’d just got in from Aussie, as knew he’d enjoy trying them out. Just never got round to making the call.

Jeepers, we’re all really going to miss this special man. He may have been just the other side of 60, but still had the enthusiasm of a grommet. Hardly ever saw him miss a wave and he was ripping right til the end.

RIP Vaughan. May you get it 6ft and offshore forever.