Today the World Surf League, and the surfing community at large, mourned the loss of David "Woody" Wood.
The sport's Head of Security for over two decades, Woody was a perennial fixture in the lives of the world's best surfers -- traveling with the tours, watching over the pros and ensuring their collective safety and comfort as they pushed the boundaries of high-performance surfing.
Woody has been a pillar of the WSL team for more than two decades. WSL / Steve Sherman
The Tour is a family and the loss of one of our own has reverberated throughout the community:
"This community, and specifically the sport, is a family and today we mourn the loss of one of our own," said Paul Speaker, WSL CEO. "David Wood was our friend and brother. He watched over us, the world's best surfers and this community for over two decades. It is an unthinkably sad day for surfing and our thoughts and prayers are with Woody's family and friends."
I loved this man. Can't believe we won't be seeing you as expected at every event. I can hardly remember an event without you. - Kelly Slater
"We're all just in shock." Kelly Slater posted on his Instagram. "I loved this man. Can't believe we won't be seeing you as expected at every event. I can hardly remember an event without you. Always in everyone's corner on tour...it's really difficult to believe you're gone. Rest in peace, my friend, and our thoughts go out to your children."
The WSL's thoughts and prayers and with Woody's friends and family.
In Loving Memory: David "Woody" Wood (1964 -2016)
WSL
Today the World Surf League, and the surfing community at large, mourned the loss of David "Woody" Wood.
The sport's Head of Security for over two decades, Woody was a perennial fixture in the lives of the world's best surfers -- traveling with the tours, watching over the pros and ensuring their collective safety and comfort as they pushed the boundaries of high-performance surfing.
The Tour is a family and the loss of one of our own has reverberated throughout the community:
"This community, and specifically the sport, is a family and today we mourn the loss of one of our own," said Paul Speaker, WSL CEO. "David Wood was our friend and brother. He watched over us, the world's best surfers and this community for over two decades. It is an unthinkably sad day for surfing and our thoughts and prayers are with Woody's family and friends."
"We're all just in shock." Kelly Slater posted on his Instagram. "I loved this man. Can't believe we won't be seeing you as expected at every event. I can hardly remember an event without you. Always in everyone's corner on tour...it's really difficult to believe you're gone. Rest in peace, my friend, and our thoughts go out to your children."
The WSL's thoughts and prayers and with Woody's friends and family.
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