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hellwoman
11-25-2007, 06:57 PM
Newquay's Nolan McSkimming dies while surfing Kauai


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TRIBUTES AFTER DEATH OF SURF STAR

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 November, 2007 : - - Loving tributes have been paid to a surfer who died in a tragic accident on a honeymoon with his wife and six-month-old daughter. Nolan McSkimming, 31, who lived in Newquay for five years, died fulfilling a life's ambition surfing waves in Hawaii.

It is understood the surfer, who competed on the UK professional tour for several years, blacked out while in the water at Tunnels Beach on the island of Kauai. A lifeguard, Jim Ingham, heroically battled to get Nolan to shore as he slipped in and out of consciousness, but their surfboard leashes became stuck on rocks.

Nolan's wife, Kerryn Quinn, said: "Unfortunately during this time, Nolan struggled to hang on to life and his condition deteriorated from there, with his breathing getting shallower. "Jim was trying to perform CPR out there, on his own, while still trying to flag for help. By the time they got Nolan to the shore and started proper CPR, I am afraid it was too late. Our beloved friend had passed on."

Described as "the most positive person you could ever meet", Nolan's sudden death has left friends in shock and more than 750 people have joined a tribute to him on the Facebook website. His sister and Newquay resident, Melissa McSkimming, said he had been told he had a "heart murmur" several years ago, but doctors insisted it was nothing to worry about.

"His wife said he was just so excited to be surfing that beach because he had always looked forward to it," said Melissa. "I think maybe he got so excited his heart just couldn't take it any more."

Nolan's enthusiasm for surfing was matched by his enthusiasm for life, and he loved to travel and meet people. This originally brought him from his home in South Africa to England, and he eventually moved to Newquay. He built up a huge number of friends in the years he lived in the town, and met many people while competing on the UK professional surf tour.

Melissa said: "He just wanted to travel and meet people. Everywhere he went he came away with so many friends - it's just amazing the effect he had on people. "He loved Newquay and had so many friends here. He was always very happy and content, and everybody knew him for his smile."

Read the full article at This Is Cornwall

hellwoman
11-25-2007, 07:02 PM
TRIBUTES AFTER DEATH OF SURF STAR
3 readers have commented on this story. Click here to read their views.

09:00 - 21 November 2007



Loving tributes have been paid to a surfer who died in a tragic accident on a honeymoon with his wife and six-month-old daughter.

Nolan McSkimming, 31, who lived in Newquay for five years, died fulfilling a life's ambition surfing waves in Hawaii.

It is understood the surfer, who competed on the UK professional tour for several years, blacked out while in the water at Tunnels Beach on the island of Kauai. A lifeguard, Jim Ingham, heroically battled to get Nolan to shore as he slipped in and out of consciousness, but their surfboard leashes became stuck on rocks.

Nolan's wife, Kerryn Quinn, said: "Unfortunately during this time, Nolan struggled to hang on to life and his condition deteriorated from there, with his breathing getting shallower.

"Jim was trying to perform CPR out there, on his own, while still trying to flag for help. By the time they got Nolan to the shore and started proper CPR, I am afraid it was too late. Our beloved friend had passed on."

Described as "the most positive person you could ever meet", Nolan's sudden death has left friends in shock and more than 750 people have joined a tribute to him on the Facebook website.

His sister and Newquay resident, Melissa McSkimming, said he had been told he had a "heart murmur" several years ago, but doctors insisted it was nothing to worry about.

"His wife said he was just so excited to be surfing that beach because he had always looked forward to it," said Melissa. "I think maybe he got so excited his heart just couldn't take it any more."

Nolan's enthusiasm for surfing was matched by his enthusiasm for life, and he loved to travel and meet people. This originally brought him from his home in South Africa to England, and he eventually moved to Newquay. He built up a huge number of friends in the years he lived in the town, and met many people while competing on the UK professional surf tour.

Melissa said: "He just wanted to travel and meet people. Everywhere he went he came away with so many friends - it's just amazing the effect he had on people.

"He loved Newquay and had so many friends here. He was always very happy and content, and everybody knew him for his smile."

Nolan had recently moved to America where he married his wife in February this year and his daughter, Rylee, was born in May.

The young family had gone on a belated honeymoon to Hawaii, a place where Nolan had always dreamed of surfing - particularly at Tunnels Beach.

Kerryn said: "Nolan waited his entire life to surf in Hawaii, and he could not have chosen a more magical place for his last surf. Kauai was Nolan's idea of paradise and it is comforting to know that his spirit will always be there. He had a love and passion for the ocean that dominated his life until the end. It helps a bit to know that he died doing what he loved most."

Nolan, who had two brothers and a sister, died on November 8, and half of his ashes were scattered at Tunnels Beach in Hawaii.

The other half will be scattered at a family ceremony in South Africa.

Reader comments
Nolan used to work for me at a surfboard factory in Durban for a long time and I dont think he ever set a fin in straight.At that same time he was also renting a room in the flat on the beach that my wife and I had and i dont think he ever tidied up or washed up.But for some reason he rarely got shouted at.That is testament to his stupid grin that he always had on his face.Not even my usually intollerant wife would ever have a go at him.There was just something about him and his infectious cheerfulness that made him instantly likeable.Plus he would paddle and go on any wave which always meant Zigzag Magazine always had plenty of pictures to enter into their wipeout section.He would just pop up after paddle back out and do it again and again.Eventually he would make one and the idiotic smile would be from ear to ear!Even though I havent seen him for ages I will miss him,and so will anybody else who ever met him.God rest your soul Noles.x
Roley McMichael, Jersey




We will miss you and your beautiful nature. Your peaceful, playful, loving nature will always be an example to all of us of how to live. Craig and family
Craig Cuff, Port Elizabeth, South Africa




So sad that Nolan was taken so young, guess another angel was needed. I only knew him a couple of years, but the main thing that stands out in memory is Nolans smile, it was infectious. He lived life to its fullest and whenever we used to all hangout in Newquay Nols always gave you high spirits, no matter what mood you were in, Nolan made you smile & laugh.He always seemed to charge at life, knowing what he wanted and going for it. He had such a presence around people, in our life times we meet lots of different people some you remember fondly, some just a passing memory.. but Nolan touched everyones life he met because of the amazing happy go lucky guy that he was. Thought's are with his wife, daughter and the whole family. Rest in peace Nols. Kirst
Kirstie Francis, Redruth