Perry, who was 49, was discovered by local surfers, his body bearing the horrific signs of a shark attack, with an arm and a leg missing, as reported by Stab Magazine.
According to the Daily Mail, Perry was enjoying a break from his lifeguard duties, catching waves when the fatal incident occurred. Responders at the scene suggested that Perry appeared to have suffered more than one shark bite. Lifeguards managed to bring Perry to shore using a jet ski, where paramedics pronounced him dead. Following the attack, Ocean Safety personnel posted shark warnings in the area.
Born in 1975 and raised on the east side of Oahu, Perry made a name for himself on the North Shore, first as a professional surfer and later as a lifeguard. He began surfing at the tender age of 12, and by his teenage years, Perry was recognized as the 'quiet up-and-coming local boy who had to borrow surf boards because he had no sponsors,' according to The Encyclopedia of Surfing.
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By 1997, Perry had developed a unique tube riding style, drawing inspiration from his favorite old-school Pipeline surfers, Gerry Lopez and Tom Carroll. Just two years later, Perry would claim victory at the Pipeline Masters. By 2005, Perry was widely acknowledged as one of Pipeline's most prominent surfers, admired for his infectious smile and casual poise as he tackled large waves.
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Perry's charisma and surfing prowess also landed him roles in several films and TV shows, including the 2002 hit Blue Crush, Lost, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and Hawaii Five-0. He also appeared in commercials for Nissan Xterra and Coca-Cola, as reported by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
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In 2016, Perry joined Ocean Safety and, together with his wife Emilia, founded the Oahu Surfing Experience to share his passion for surfing. In his bio for the surfing school, Perry wrote, 'As a devoted waterman, I've gained a tremendous amount of knowledge, not only from what I've accomplished, but also from what I've suffered.' He went on to share that a near-fatal experience while surfing Pipeline had inspired him to instill proper surf etiquette and safety in his students.
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Honolulu Ocean Safety Acting Chief Kurt Lager paid tribute to Perry, saying, 'Tamayo Perry was a lifeguard loved by all, well-known on the North Shore, a professional surfer known around the world. Tamayo’s personality was infectious, and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.'
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Mayor Rick Blangiardi echoed Lager's sentiments, stating that the community was reeling from a 'tragic loss.' He described Perry as a 'legendary waterman and highly respected... a great member of our Ocean Safety team,' and requested privacy for Perry's grieving family.
Jason Bitzer, a close friend of Perry, shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, writing, 'Tamayo Perry you weren’t my friend you were my brother, the pain we're collectively feeling is immense.'
Perry's death marks the second fatal shark attack Oahu has seen this month, a chilling reminder of the dangers that can lurk beneath the ocean's surface, even for the most experienced and respected watermen.
