Australian surfer Jae Haydon dies in Bali

Nicholas McLaren
Swellnet Dispatch

Wollongong surfer Jae Haydon has died after surfing reportedly giant waves at a break off Bali, Indonesia.

The 35-year-old's body was found 12 hours after a broken board washed up last night near Padang Padang Beach in the tourist island's south, his family confirmed this morning.

His sister, Heidi Haydon, said in a text: "My mum and I are feeling the love from all and know that you would understand we would appreciate privacy at this time."

A friend of Mr Haydon's, Mark Brightwell, said the surfer's board snapped after a wipeout.

He said two surfers tried to pull Mr Haydon onto another board and bring him to shore, but they reportedly lost him when another wave hit.

"Obviously in the 10-15-foot conditions the white wash would have been powerful and obviously they weren't able to maintain him on the board and lost him," he said.

Mr Brightwell said his body was located at another surf break, Impossibles, which was further down the reef from Padang Padang.

Early reports suggested it was brought in by lifeguards.

'Living life to the fullest'

Mr Brightwell described his friend as a passionate surfer, musician and traveller.

"He was in Bali doing a few gigs and in between gigs he would wander and surf and take it all in — living life to the fullest," he said.

Tributes were flowing on social media after the 35-year-old's death was confirmed this morning.

"You were a mate, a neighbour, a fellow surfer, an entertainer and a life lover. A true inspiration. Your soul, music and presence touched thousands and will continue" friend Tate English said on Facebook.

Thirroul surfboard maker Dylan Perese posted a tribute on Instagram.

"He would always light up the room, stage, yard, whatever venue with the warmth and incredible tunes," he said.

A Go Fund Me page was set up by Mr Brightwell under the name Our Amazing Friend Jae Haydon to help raise the funds to bring his body back to Australia.

© Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved.

Comments

goofyfoot's picture
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goofyfoot Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 1:18pm

Sad news. RIP

pittsy's picture
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pittsy Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 1:44pm

Saw that yesterday so sad RIP mate. I'm off to bali in a couple weeks and this is certainly a reminder for me to be careful out there and know my limits.

BaSz's picture
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BaSz Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 1:45pm

RiP Jae..

BIG uluwatu,
wonder what happened here???

BaSz's picture
BaSz's picture
BaSz Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 1:45pm

A Go Fund Me page was set up by Mr Brightwell under the name Our Amazing Friend Jae Haydon to help raise the funds to bring his body back to Australia.

southey's picture
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southey Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 1:46pm

RIP and condolences to Family and Friends .
Just a thought , but who lets a friend , stranger , mate go out into 8-10ft Ulu's at 22 sec's on an 6'0 .? not blaming anyone , but unless your a world class paddler surely thats not what you would want to riding . Am i missing something ? was this on the back of the dropping swell ?

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 1:46pm

I have friends who know him and not being disrespectful but the same went through my mind. He can surf, DP put up a seq of him, but 6'0 in that large surf...

goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 1:47pm

Did it get quite big during that swell?
Haven’t seen any photos around.
Enough for OC?

BaSz's picture
BaSz's picture
BaSz Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 1:50pm

Pictures everywhere goofyfoot lances left, brent dozzas nias tube, mentawais etc booming heavily

goofyfoot's picture
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goofyfoot Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 2:53pm

Been busy bazza, no time for insta perusal

southey's picture
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southey Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 1:56pm

Swell was quite West , so i don't know what implications that has for OC Goofy !?

dandandan's picture
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dandandan Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 1:57pm

Really sad and a big wake up call to many. I doubt we'll ever know what happened - a board to the head, hit the reef, the wind knocked too far out of him by a bombing lip - and the mystery of that is very sobering to think about.

BaSz's picture
BaSz's picture
BaSz Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 1:59pm

12hrs later?
And a board was attached to the body by the leash...nobody even watching a board drifting incredibly slowly all sounds a bit suss. . .

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 2:10pm

Yeah a guy I know got him onto his board as posted above via Insta, so I'm guessing undid his leash and then a set rolled in and cleaned them up. He tried his hardest.

blindboy's picture
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blindboy Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 2:04pm

Sounds like the rescuers unleashed him to carry him in on their board but lost him when they were cleaned up by a set. Hence the long delay in finding the body. RIP. Very sad. OC has always been a serious wave and I have heard plenty of stories a out people getting into serious trouble. The wind in the image above is a huge factor. I would have surfed a 7'10" on a day like that!

BaSz's picture
BaSz's picture
BaSz Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 2:15pm

Report by the first dude said 6-8ft but then in the news report 10-15ft...

Yeah (my original comment disappeared in the thread changeover)

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 2:19pm

The 10-15ft report is in the original article above - probably measuring wave faces (which is around 6-8ft in surfers feet). 

jeffgraz1's picture
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jeffgraz1 Wednesday, 25 Apr 2018 at 6:29am

Im heading over on the 5th May and the largest of my 3 board quiver im takings a 6'10" and id still be hesitant as its a new board never ridden

Clam's picture
Clam's picture
Clam Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 3:17pm

Tragic .
R.i.p Jae

"Nyai Loro Kidul is often illustrated as a mermaid with a tail as well as the lower body parts of a fish.
The mythical creature is claimed to be able to take the soul of any who she wished for.
According to local popular beliefs around coastal villages on Southern Java, the Queen often claim lives of fishermen or visitors that bathe on the beach, and she usually prefers handsome young men."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyai_Roro_Kidul

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 4:42pm

Sad to hear, but also a reminder of what can happen and to know your limits especially in remote areas of Indo.

truebluebasher's picture
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truebluebasher Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 6:57pm

Sad to see an Aussie dies each week in Bali also a drowning every 2nd week .
Australian Surfers live out these facts.

Wave of the day__/C.....[R.I.P. Jae)______/Great Soul Gig in the Sky\

joesydney's picture
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joesydney Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 7:22pm

A sobering and sad story and reminder of our own mortality. Going to the ments next year returning for the first time after having 3 kids and my perspective on risk has certainly changed. I still want to have a crack when it gets big so Im considering things like bouyancy vests, first thoughts are it seems like overkill and then I read this story and wonder if it would have made a difference?

udo's picture
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udo Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 8:17pm

.

gunther's picture
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gunther Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 10:24pm

Copped a few long hold downs out there on a 6-8ft day, popped up a long way from where i started.

MidWestMonger's picture
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MidWestMonger Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018 at 11:28pm

RIP Jae, sympathies to family and friends. Bali holidays are normally something to look forward to not grieve over but sadly so many families have to face this reality (not just surf related, you can be electrocuted standing too close to a faulty sign) If anything can be taken as a learning to younger surfers ( 35 is too young to leave us, still fit and experienced/ wise to make sound choices) err on the side of safety in board size choices. Who knows what happened out there but we all knows the difference a few scrabbled stokes on a reasonable volume 6'6 makes compared against a lower volume performance board when your facing something more than you expected. I'm 47 now but remember being 35 and fit but still being washed down the racetrack on paddle out from the cave on a rising swell wishing nothing but to paddle out, all the way around line up,one wave to the cave and get a longer board. I paddled back and caught a wave in but on all seriousness read the forum thread about being washed down past the racetrack and paddling in further down as being spent and thinking you've gotta get back to the cave is not an option in big swells

evosurfer's picture
evosurfer's picture
evosurfer Wednesday, 25 Apr 2018 at 10:02am

I was there as it happened it was big very big I would call it 8-12ft I think
at 18 sec. Jae was surfing the bombie don't know if he got cleaned up or took
off nobody I spoke to actually saw the incident we only saw the guy from Hawaii trying to place him on his board got cleaned up by massive white water near the reef inside
that's where he found Jae nobody could of held onto jae thru that. I also feel
for the Hawaiian guy he was really stressed. The Hawaiian guy believed Jae was
gone before he got to him.
Who ever said why nobody saw this unfold have you ever been at ulus at that
size the wave breaks guessing somewhere between 300-500meters away massive
white water white board a sea of white hundreds of meters away.
Obviously not stupid statement.
I was filming my son later on when his sister and friends came down it was very
emotional and so very very sad I wanted to leave but was the best advantage point
to observe my 15 year old son. I was relieved when he came in and I could leave.
We went for a late surf at Impossibles and regrettable walked straight into Jaes
body at the top of Padangs steps, it was seriously a disturbing and tragic day
and a real wakeup call for us surfers doing what we love even more so for my son
he was really effected by that.
My sincere condolences go to Jaes family and friends and by all accounts Jae seemed
like a really decent guy. RIP buddy

To the guy who said should you wear a flotation vest fuck yeh the best surfing investment
I have ever made highly recommended.

benjis babe's picture
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benjis babe Wednesday, 25 Apr 2018 at 8:53am

we r at lakeys, the swell was as thick as it was high, a solid 8ft was some long lulls, very deceptive, wind was very strong and changed all day, 4 seasons in one day. although 6ft board is not a gun, you could still surf the swell on this size board, so leave the poor bloke alone, at least he died in heaven, my thoughts to his family and friends, very sad

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Wednesday, 25 Apr 2018 at 9:21am

8 ft Lakey is a totally different scenario to 8-12 ft long period Ulu
Jae said to Big Jim during that session that his board was way to small....
Jim credits Jae to paddling into without fear and no pulling back one of the best waves of the Day -
'He won my Respect' - R.I.P Jae.

batfink's picture
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batfink Wednesday, 25 Apr 2018 at 12:15pm

Very sad. 35 years old, waaaaaay tooo young.

At that age your still pretty strong and fit, possibly as surf fit as you've ever been, age hasn't crept in yet, your smarter and more experienced than you've ever been, better able to handle dicey situations, have got over your stupid bravado of teens and 20's, and a much better risk manager.

A wake up call to all, not so much to 'surf within your limits', which is impossible to judge, but to realise the power and respect it. I'm 56, and getting close enough to that stage where every day when there's surf and a will can be a surf day. I've no plans to only surf within my comfort zones, but I'm planning on hanging around till the bitter end.

Looked like some gnarly surf out there. Take care all.

mezkal's picture
mezkal's picture
mezkal Wednesday, 25 Apr 2018 at 1:13pm

RIP man , sounds like you weren't scared to have go at life. Respect and condolences to all. I pushed it and had a wake up call at maxing Impossibles one full moon August. Phhh it's only impossibles I thought, I'm from WA I've surfed waves this big before I told myself as I got sucked through the rip that used to be Bingin. As the swell peaked at hi tide and THAT set rolled over me, I've never been in total black, so deep, for so long. If my leggie broke, woulda been touch and go. Been training in the pool ever since. It's a fine line we all tread. Play a song for the other Jay as you watch over from Valhalla, you went out charging Jae . RIP.

Clam's picture
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Clam Wednesday, 25 Apr 2018 at 2:17pm

Last year when a man died at gnaraloo it was a similar "long period swell" about 18s and big .

As per usual my advice is; Take heed of the swell period and learn what that actually means , get the best quality leashes , equipment etc possible .
A busted leggy or board can get you in a bad predicament in front of cliffs

leckiep's picture
leckiep's picture
leckiep Thursday, 26 Apr 2018 at 4:02pm

Apologies if you've answered this before, Clam, I don't remember you mentioning a brand on any of the leggie articles, just some comments on the plastic:
- Preferred brand / specs on Legropes?
- At what size do you start using 2 plugs (& two Leggies?)

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Wednesday, 25 Apr 2018 at 9:31pm

R.I.P to Anthony Lines QLD surfer who also passed away while surfing at Lembongan on Sunday

harrykoonya's picture
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harrykoonya Wednesday, 25 Apr 2018 at 11:39pm

I was in the water surfing at Playgrounds when Anthony passed. It was 3-4 foot but plenty of bodies in the water; many of which were highly inexperienced given the conditions, and most seem to be out due to the wave's close proximity to the coastline.

I think it's time the Gath Helmet made a comeback. Although unfashionable, they can prove to be a lifesaver at crowded or shallow spots.

RIP to both men.

Bourneagin's picture
Bourneagin's picture
Bourneagin Wednesday, 25 Apr 2018 at 10:09pm

I thought it strange that no one had posted about Anthony and mentioned it in a Forum post . But good old Udo onto it as per usual .

scottindo's picture
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scottindo Wednesday, 25 Apr 2018 at 10:17pm

RIP to both Anthony and Jae
Evosurfer very True what you wrote.
I was surfing Airport Rights that day and it was Heavy trying take off on my 6,1
As my 6,10 was getting repaired thanks Airport baggage handlers !!!

benjis babe's picture
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benjis babe Thursday, 26 Apr 2018 at 9:08am

same long period swell everywhere UDO

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Thursday, 26 Apr 2018 at 9:44am

Darrick Doerners 3 rules for riding big surf.

Training is the solution.
Nutrition is the key.
Equipment has to be the best you can buy.

RIP both men.

Mango Carafino's picture
Mango Carafino's picture
Mango Carafino Thursday, 26 Apr 2018 at 10:07am

The swell that hit Bali took the lives of more than 5 people. One at Dreamland, two in Sanur. One at Uluwatu and another surfer on Nusa Lembongan. In three days more ppl died than in all of a season on the North Shore of Hawaii. I get very angry to see the unnecessary deaths of my fellow brothers of the sea. Many if not 90% of these drownings happen right under the nose of the lifeguards. While they hustle the sale of their beach chairs and rental boards with their attention everywhere but the ocean. The Ozzie Lifeguards have given so much equipment and training to the Kuta Headquarters over the years, but the jet skis are never used with the intelligence to monitor and prevent, let alone rescue. I have never seen a larger group of cowards claiming to be the rulers of the area, in my life, with their bullshit Hui logos and tattoos. A lifeguard is a man of the ocean, unthinkingly ready to put his life on the line to save others. RIP Jae, will see you on the other side with the rest of the best who have gone before us.

daltz's picture
daltz's picture
daltz Thursday, 26 Apr 2018 at 10:55am

Heavy loss of life. So sad for all involved.
I think its just one of those things, people need to be more aware.
If there is only 5 people out, its probably for a reason.
Generally, your gonna go through a gnarly paddle out at OC at size, which should weed out the unprepared, though Dreamland and Lembongan could be dry hair paddleouts.
How do you assist the punters not experienced enough?
Maybe a rating system, like over 2m at over 12sec is a black day, for example. Though even then, where do you put the signs?
Just one of those really sad, unfortunate things I feel.

Clam's picture
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Clam Thursday, 26 Apr 2018 at 11:09am

Long period swells should be red flagged as danger, to all but the experienced surfers

batfink's picture
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batfink Thursday, 26 Apr 2018 at 12:44pm

So true Clam. Long lulls in between waves with much greater power than expected when they come, often in sets of 4, 5 and more waves, so much water moving about until it all goes calm again. Worst of all possible worlds for the inexperienced, only experience tells you what dangers abound. (clearly not in respect of Jae, by all reports well experienced)

Maybe swellnet develops a system based on input from forums, possibly like the snow 'black runs', or perhaps like the fire danger signs around Australia.

Green - safe, frolic about
Yellow - care taken,
Orange - be wary,
Red - experienced only, stay out,
Black - do you really think you're up for this? Really!

Stu, a little project for you to facilitate? Lifeguards on Aus coasts could take them up as well. I'm sure they'd like to have signs at beach entry points to advise people as they arrive.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Thursday, 26 Apr 2018 at 12:47pm

BOM already have a 'Dangerous Surf Warning' in NSW and Qld. It's a little patchy at times, but has otherwise been adopted by most government agencies.

Interesingly, WA, Tas, SA and Vic don't issue Dangerous Surf Warnings. Not sure on the reasoning - could be low population density near potential coasts - but should be addressed IMO.

Main issue is the criteria. There are a lot of swell events that are line-calls, and rogue waves across southern coasts are a significant factor even during somewhat benign surf conditions (i.e. not classified as Dangerous).

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Thursday, 26 Apr 2018 at 1:00pm

Ben has been working on something like this for more then five years - perhaps longer. For it to work the info would also have to be disseminated via the BOM - as it's not surfers but rock fishermen who are in the most danger during long period swells - but that's been the sticking point with the project. If he wants to elaborate further he will.

EDIT: Guess who types faster than I do?

Perhaps we'll adopt something similar but just for surfers, though I can already see bugs that'd have to be ironed out. For instance, on the East Coast the relentless nature of short period swells can be very dangerous given enough size.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Saturday, 28 Apr 2018 at 6:57pm

Very large waves in WA today, with the BOM issuing a 4-5m swell forecast with offshore winds - yet no Dangerous Surf Warning.

Breaking news on ABC: “A man in his 40s has been flown to Royal Perth Hospital for emergency treatment after he and another man were swept from rocks while fishing at an infamous beach in southern Western Australia.”

I’m baffled why the SA, WA, Vic and Tas BoM offices don’t issue dangerous surf warnings, compared to NSW and Qld.

Fieldy's picture
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Fieldy Monday, 30 Apr 2018 at 4:48pm

That is a very valid idea, and would relate well to the European visitors who receive warnings all the time based on avalanche conditions.

thatguy's picture
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thatguy Thursday, 26 Apr 2018 at 12:02pm

Agree

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wax-on-danielson Thursday, 26 Apr 2018 at 12:25pm

If anyone is interested in music
https://m.

chook's picture
chook's picture
chook Thursday, 26 Apr 2018 at 1:55pm

i had a nasty incident in smallish waves with long-period swell years ago. never really shaken it off. now swell period rules my life. changed boards and holiday plans last week when a 16-second swell period was forecast.

if there's any long period swell in the mix, then i'm usually sitting way too far out staring intently at the horizon while mumbling to myself that those sitting closer in and catching waves a plenty are living a fool's dream.

dandandan's picture
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dandandan Thursday, 26 Apr 2018 at 2:03pm

http://www.baliwaves.com/2018/04/bali-surf-report-west-coast-bali-and-be...

A few shots from that day. Must have been some very scary sets coming in at the bommie.

goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot Thursday, 26 Apr 2018 at 6:02pm

Some cracking waves in those shots.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Friday, 27 Apr 2018 at 11:24am

$65 k raised in 3 days to bring Jae home...Fantastic.

pittsy's picture
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pittsy Sunday, 29 Apr 2018 at 3:10pm

Been thinking about this alot recently. I think I have a pretty good idea of when to head out and have a go vs. when to seek a sheltered area. Aside from height (proper 4-5 ft, 6ft and I'm way out the back or shoulder hopping) and period (to be honest have taken this for granted given it's usually 12-14ish where I'm at although will be considering this more in future), I'll look at how heavy paddle out/in is, try and envision how i'd get back without a board (although I find that save from doing a practice run this is hard to accurately determine), and how heavy the break is in general (ie; beach break where I can wash in vs reef break where I wouldn't want to get caught inside). I'm a fairly recreational surfer and feel I'm a reasonable representative of this, ie; surfing 5ish years, approx 1-2 times a week, stick mostly to name surf-coast spots/east vic beachies. From this info, what's the smartest way to go about approaching better surf in the safest way? Right board/equipment, better fitness, gradually push upper limit, combination of all these? Curious what others takes would be.