Surfer Missing After Padang Earthquake
Justin Cote
- September 30 2009
- 2,898 views
- 38 comments
Padang, Sumatra is the jump off point for surfers visiting the Mentawais.
Updated Oct. 1: As seen in the comments down below, Padang (the jumping off point for the Mentawais) is in chaos. Buildings have toppled down trapping thousands, and the death toll is steadily climbing. Yesterday I spoke to Anna Knox from Carlsbad, CA. who was looking for her son, Trenton. She last spoke to him at noon Padang time, just hours before the quake hit and hasn’t heard from him since. There were also reports that Laguna Beach pro surfer Jon Rose was missing, but according to a post below from what looks like a family member, he is okay and looking at ways to help out. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims of both Padang and the Samoan tsunami and any information regarding missing peoples whereabouts or status are greatly appreciated.
A day after an earthquake struck near American Samoa another trembler sent residents scrambling for shelter in this town that is used as a jumping off point for surfers going to the Mentawais. Anthony Marcotti from Kandui Resort reported to us that everything was okay in the Mentawais, but that Padang was a disaster.”It’s pouring rain, there’s no power, it’s middle of the night, and there’s a lot of confusion. Hotels have been destroyed and we’re just very concerned for everyone’s safety,” he said after talking via skype to his partner Jordan who somehow had an internet connection.
Surf Aid has set up a relief fund to help out the victims, click HERE to donate or for more info.
Here’s what CNN reported on it:
JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) — A major earthquake in Indonesia killed at least 75 people Wednesday, according to a Red Cross disaster report, citing an official report from the country’s vice president.
Thousands may be trapped by collapsed buildings and houses, said Rustam Pakaya, the head of Ministry of Health’s crisis center.
It struck at around 5 p.m. local time, about 33 miles (53 kilometers) from Padang, the capital city of West Sumatra. Padang is home to more than 800,000 people.
The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.6, according to the U.S Geological Survey, caused widespread power and phone outages, making it difficult for authorities and aid organizations to evaluate damage
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September 30th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
shocker. I hope Christian Fletcher is ok.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
My son Trenton Knox (an American from Carlsbad, CA) is there. Yes, he is a surfer. If anyone knows him and has seen him and can get word to me I would greatly appreciate it. My hope for all is that they are safe.
October 1st, 2009 at 3:26 am
My brother, Rod Hernaman and a group of fellow surfers from Perth flew in to Padang yesterday. I believe they made it to their boat to the Mentawis before the earthquake hit Padang.
October 1st, 2009 at 3:28 am
Christians in SoCal
October 1st, 2009 at 4:11 am
yeah, I don't really care. I was kidding. I do, however, hope Ms. Knox finds her son.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:15 am
ok peter I very much appreciate the update…
condolences to the locals suffering from yet another powerful quake
October 1st, 2009 at 6:20 am
Somebody said Pro Jon Rose out of Laguna Beach is missing? Rumor..I hope.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:49 am
Hi there anyone heard any update on Australian's Ben Pike (my brother) and his partner Rebecca Conroy - not sure whether they were in Padang or in the mentawai's (Sipora) at the time the quake hit.
Any update would be hugely appreciated as my family have not heard from them as yet and are starting to worry.
Thanks.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:13 am
Hi! If anyone has any news about Jon Manheim, a surfer from Southern California that was on the Kaimana Boat, please advise. We would love to get some news about Jon and/or anyone on the Kaimana. As you can imagine, everyone in the family is very worried. We pray for everyone there!
xo!
October 1st, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Jon and whole surf crew is fine, arriving in Padang harbor to discover the earthquake.
They are safe on the boat and may find ways to help . . .
October 1st, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Hi Jack my name is Bridget Giannotti I'm a friend of Anna Knox's. Her son Trenton is in Padang and we haven't heard any word on him. He's a surfer and I thought you might know him. If you have any word on him would you please let us know. Anna has also left a message on this website. Thanks. Bridget Good to hear everyone in your group is well.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Jack
I am so glad to hear he is okay…….and glad that i could find this info you just posted..
V
October 1st, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Hi Bridget. I would try contacting waterways.com.
Also I will pass this to Jon and forward any info I receive.
My hunch is he's ok, but communication is just so challenged,
Jack
October 1st, 2009 at 6:35 pm
the boat charters out of padang generally coordinate the shifts of surfers in and out of the harbor together, to time it with flights, so if a few boats were already out in the islands, chances are that they were all safely at sea. Hope everyone is ok.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:53 pm
try this forum:
http://forum.surfermag.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat...
October 1st, 2009 at 11:36 pm
My brother Duane Kenny (Trinidad and Tobago) surfer was due to depart on tuesday night, many hours before, we are not sure the boat so if anyone can confirm he is part of the surfing crew manifest on any boat would be appreciated.
Brett Kenny
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:54 am
Duane Kenny is on the surf boat with this satelite number:6286811023729
If anyone recognizes this number and can identify the surf boat, please reply.
Wendy Gomez
(Duane's aunt)
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:04 am
Hi Sal, I think I met Ben & Rebecca on a previous trip to Sipora Tua Pejat , anyway I managed to get an e-mail from Tom Plummer , SurfAid, Sipora ,he told me that there was slight building damage , power still on but no phone,the town is o.k. sorry can't tell you more communication is really sketchy but he's working on it . Vic . Nerang , 4211
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:36 am
hey vic thanks heaps for yr message, its been really hard to get any news on the mentawai's. so great to hear that that part of the world isnt as badly affected as we had feared. a friend of his is heading over to sipora soon so we'll hopefully get a message via him in the next few days. thanks again. thinking of everyone affected. take care.
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:38 am
Hi Jack thank you so much. It is so appreciated. Still haven't heard anything. If you get word on anything please contact me. We are all so worried. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone there. Take care and God Bless.
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:40 am
My brother, Will Bendix (South African surfer) is in the mentawai's. Not sure if he's on a boat or not. Haven't heard from him yet, so would appreciate any info. Mel
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:28 am
Thanks for the thoughts for my son. It is now almost 48 hours since the quake I still have not heard from him. Could he catching a perfect wave…I can only hope. If you have news please call me 760-729-1955.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:39 am
Fletcher? for sure is doping in Bali..
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Trenton reached us through someone who has left Pandang. He is safe and plans on staying for awhile to help in the rebuilding process. thanks for all you good thoughts.
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Great news Anna.
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
hello….
i a please looking for my friend ALvaro Botella from Spain
last time we hear from him on wednesday 30th at 2pm…..he was staying in mentwai but thinking about comming back soon! we dont know if he got to catch next ferry or might be still at mentawai…. please if anyone knows about Alvaro Botella…i would be really glad to hear about him……we are very worry about him!
we have no news from him!
thanks leti
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:46 pm
That's the best news I've heard all day!
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:36 am
My son Mike Shaw, from San Diego, and his wife and daughter, were to have been at the Hotel Ambacang when the quake hit.. Miraculously, they were delayed by a flat tire, and were not inside the hotel. They are safe, and made their way to Bali. There are still several surfers, from San Diego, out at Hideaways, who are safe. There was minimal damage on the island, and they were in fact, unaware of the scope of damage and loss in Padang until they SAT phoned in yesterday.
Dr. Dave, we met in Bali last month, at the SOS Klinik. God Bless you for the work that you do. Thank goodness you are safe, it sounds like many miracles occured, even in the midst of horrible devastation, all of you still in harms way are in our prayers.
October 3rd, 2009 at 3:18 am
hey vic just wanted to let you know that we just got word from a mate of ben's that they are both on sipora and are ok. they felt the quake but didnt realise how bad it was elsewhere until one of their mates left their side of the island so they called back here to let us know that they are ok. thanks for yr thoughts. thoughts are with those that havent been as lucky.
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:45 am
Have confirmed that my brother, Saffa Will Bendix, is on a boat in Kandui, so all's good
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:46 am
hello everyone!
i had found my friend ALVARO BOTELLA!!!!!!
ONE resort in mentaway named BAY had sent me the names of the forieng people wstaying in there.
i copy it for all of you incase it helps:
Alvaro Botella, Spain
> Jay Seeber, Australia
> Tibor Szavo, USA
> Josh Macy, USA
> Brittany Boehm, USA
> David Reid, USA
> Nathan Calder, UK (was OK after the quake and left for
TuaPejat/Telescopes on Friday morning)
and also JUAN from SPAIN i staying at macarronis!
thanks for all and good luck!!!!
October 3rd, 2009 at 3:10 pm
If any one can inform me about the catamaransurfing boat "addiction" captained by Eric foraker (from USA) and crewed, wtih many indonesians, (polo, Eka, etc) please inform me, My name is zago
Thanks
October 4th, 2009 at 4:54 am
i heard eric is okay, they were in the islands when it happend…
October 4th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Hi Pam,
So happy to hear that Mike, Irda, Mikela and baby to be are safe. Looking forward to getting Dave and the boys home. Is Irda's family okay?
Jenny Palmiotto
October 5th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
My good friends michael and colleen shrack were staying in padang on vacation ,no one has heard from them and they are due back in santa cruz ca..Can people fly out to return home and has anyone seen them? My name is Stephanie-Thanks
October 15th, 2009 at 1:59 am
we are studying this earthquake
and we hope that there are alot of un-injured people.. we wish you the best
October 22nd, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Does anyone know how to get a list of names of the people who lost their life in this tragedy?
I had a friend from Saudi Arabia who went on a trip to Indonesia just before this quake hit,
and I have heard no news from him.