Search called off for British surfer Arran Strong off Portuguese coast

Portuguese authorities have officially called off the search for a British surfer who disappeared off the country’s southwestern coast earlier this week. The 28-year-old athlete, Arran Strong, was last seen in the water near Arrifana beach in the Aljezur region on Monday.

Strong had been paddleboarding with his coach, José Maria Pyrrait, travelling from Monte Clérigo beach to Carrapateira. According to Portugal’s Autoridade Marítima Nacional, the pair encountered difficulties in the water. Pyrrait was rescued by a local fishing boat, but efforts to locate Strong proved unsuccessful.

Pyrrait provided a detailed account of the incident on Instagram, explaining that the two had paused for a drink and photographs during their journey. He noted that he typically allowed Strong to paddle ahead, stopping to wait for him when he gained a lead.

On this occasion, Pyrrait stopped to wait but found only Strong’s board drifting approximately 100 metres away. He immediately paddled to the board and dived into the water, but cited very deep conditions and poor visibility. Pyrrait then alerted his partner on shore, who contacted rescue services.

A local fisherman retrieved both Pyrrait and the surfboards from the water. According to Pyrrait’s account, they then spent nearly two and a half hours scanning the entire surrounding area with the boat’s sonar.

Community impact

The disappearance represents a significant blow to the professional surfing community. Strong had been a competitor in the World Surf League since 2016. GB Surfing issued a formal tribute, describing him as a fantastic teammate and a respected competitor within the sport.

The organization emphasized that his passing represents a devastating loss to the wider surfing community. Pyrrait also shared a personal tribute, noting that he had trained Strong since the age of ten and viewed him with the love of a son.

For organizations within the European water sports sector, the incident underscores the severe risks underlying professional competition. The loss of a World Surf League competitor active since 2016 represents a devastating blow to the community these bodies support, serving as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced in open water environments.