TRAGEDY ON THE NORTH SHORE
Surf photographer dies at Backdoor
February 10, 2005 North Shore surf photographer and artist Jon Mozo died from head injuries on February 9th after being driven into the reef at Backdoor. He was 33 years old.
The surf wasn't giant by North Shore standards: about four to six feet out of the west. The sun was out and there were quite a few photographers on the beach and surfers in the water. Mozo hit the reef around 2pm and his body drifted across the inside of the Pipe lineup to in front of the lifeguard tower. Lifeguards tried to revive him with a defibrillator but weren't successful.
Longtime surf photographer Dan Merkel was on the beach. "Jon's been around the North Shore for years," he said. "He knew what he was doing. But it doesn't need to be giant to get hurt at Backdoor. The left at Pipeline has a safety zone, the channel and it goes into sand, but Backdoor is all reef, If you're in the wrong spot, you have nowhere to go."
Approximately ten surfers have died while surfing Pipeline, but Mozo is the first surf photographer to pass away. There have been hundreds of serious injuries over the years, however. Last year during the Hansen's Pipeline pro, water photographer Larry Haynes split his helmet wide open.
This was Mozo's second horrific incident in the ocean. In 1993, he was attacked by a tiger shark while surfing the East Side. He managed to make it in on his own, and had to get 30 stitches to close up his foot.
Sadly, he leaves behind a wife and four children. --Marcus Sanders
For more, go to
www.jonmozo.com
(With Dean Luke)
FUNERAL AND MEMORIAL INFORMATION:
***
Funeral services have been set for February 19, 2005 and will be held in Laie, Hawaii on the island of Oahu.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Laie Hawaii North Stake Center, public viewing 9:00 am with funeral service to follow at 12:00.
Media: We request no cameras on this day, we thank you for observing the families privacy.
***
A water memorial service will be held at Malaekahana
State Park on Monday February 21, 2005 at 10:30 am.
We will be presenting Jon with lei's and prayers in the waters and on the beach near "goat island" Jon's favorite surf break. We encourage you to join us so bring your boards or canoes, watevas. Afterwards at the park we invite you to joins us expressing thoughts and words for Jon at the beach park. If you would like to sing, chant, laugh or dance please do. If you want to schedule contact us, or impromteau fine. This is an informal local style happy get together as was Jon's style. We welcome all and look forward to seeing your smiles.
All Media welcome.
***
Flowers can be sent to:
54-019 Ahinalu Place
Hauula, Hi 96717
And they will be brought to the family at a private location.
(We ask that flowers NOT be delivered to:94-207 Alake Place
Millilani, Hi 96789, as it is not a current address.)
***
Mailings to the Jon's family can be sent to
The Mozo's
P.O. 848
Hauula, Hi 96717
A trust for Jons wife; Nikki, and 4 children; Makana, Amber, Ariana, and Anela has been established to help them through a difficult journey ahead.
Donations can be made to "The Jon Mozo Legacy Fund"
Benefits events in the music,surf, art industry are
being planned for the near future.
Email address for the family:
JonMozoOhana@yahoo.com
, så det gäller att ha kul och göra det man är mest engagerad i tills dess. 
ha skickligheten att nå himlen efter döden men det är en annan diskussion.
