MOVING tributes have been paid to a windsurfing legend hailed as “one of life’s good guys” after he died suddenly while walking along a beach in France.
Farrel O’Shea, 60, had just set another record at a watersports event before he became unwell while strolling along the sand in La Palme on Sunday.
Farrel O’Shea once held the British speed record after reaching a blistering 51.2 knots — around 59mphCredit: Facebook
Farrel wrote a guide to windsurfing and developed technical moves used by competitors around the worldCredit: Facebook
A champion British windsurfer ‘died doing what he loved’ after he was taken ill on a beach in FranceCredit: WNS
The windsurfer, originally from Wellington in Shropshire, was one of the sport’s pioneers and later became a successful businessman.
He moved to the Gwynedd coast in the 1980s and went on to found the popular watersports brand O’Shea Surf in Pwllheli.
The champion windsurfer once held the British speed record after reaching a blistering 51.2 knots — around 59mph.
Friends said he had just broken another record in the discipline of wingfoiling before tragedy struck.
He had travelled to the event with fellow windsurfing star Zara Davis.
She said the much-loved sportsman “died doing what he loved”.
Paying tribute, Zara said: “Farrel was my mentor, my inspiration and my friend.
“He had a clever, dry wit and never failed to make you smile.
“He was generous with his time and had unrivalled knowledge of speed windsurfing — a true legend of the sport.”
Farrel also wrote a guide to windsurfing and developed technical moves used by competitors around the world.
Friends say his successful meant he left behind a seven-figure fortune in his will.
Tributes have poured in following the shock .
A statement from his company said: “He was one of life’s good guys.
“He was deeply loved by so many and will be forever in our hearts.”
A Gwynedd-based watersports tour group, SUP North , said he was “one of the most down-to-earth and unassuming people”.
They added: “He’d always drop everything, put the kettle on and sit down for a chat.
“It’s a very sad loss for the world of windsurfing and stand-up paddle boarding.”
Staff at Knockburn Sports Loch in Aberdeenshire also paid tribute.
They said: “He was an absolutely fantastic, well-mannered and considerate man.
“It will always be a pleasure to see people riding his boards — a huge legacy to a fantastic human being.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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