- Windsurfer Farrel O’Shea died on Sunday while in the south of France for a competition.
A “true legend” of British windsurfing has tragically died on a French beach shortly after setting another speed record.
Farrel O’Shea was walking on a beach in La Palme, southern France, on Sunday when he went into cardiac arrest before dying, devastated friends revealed.
He was in the region to participate in the Prince of Speed World Record Attempt 2024 event before he died.
The 60-year-old had just broken another speed record on the wingfoil, a type of smaller board that requires surfers to carry a “wing” to propel themselves through the water.
O’Shea, who was originally from Shropshire but moved to the Gwynedd coast in Wales in the 1980s, was with fellow windsurfing champion Zara Davis when he died.
She said: “He died doing what he loved.”
Farrel O’Shea (pictured) was walking on a beach in La Palme, southern France, on Sunday when he quickly fell ill before passing away.
O’Shea was a champion wingfoil surfer and had just broken a speed record before he died.
Tributes poured in after news of O’Shea’s death.
‘Farrel was my mentor, my inspiration and my friend. He had a smart, dry wit and he never failed to make you smile.
‘He was generous to everyone with his time and his incomparable knowledge of speed windsurfing, a true legend of the sport.
“He was deeply loved and will be missed by many family and friends around the world,” he added.
O’Shea, who founded a surfing company, was the British record holder and managed to travel up to 51.2 knots (about 90 mph) on the wing.
He also developed several technical moves on the field.
His company, O’Shea Surf, said he was “one of the good guys in life.”
“He was deeply loved by many and will forever be in our hearts,” they added.
Tributes also came from further afield.
SUP North Wales, a Gwynedd-based water sports tour company, described O’Shea as “one of the most down-to-earth, down-to-earth people”.
“His knowledge of everything boardie related was limitless.”
‘Speaking clearly, dryly, fun and without airs of grace, a very sad loss for the world of windsurfing and stand up paddle. He had done it all, from holding world windsurfing speed records to strapping a jet engine to a giant inflatable paddleboard.
