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The surfing world is mourning Giuliana Manfrini after she died in a freak accident when a swordfish stabbed her in the heart off the coast of Indonesia earlier this month.
The 36-year-old Italian was surf fishing near the island of Pulau Masokut, off the west coast of Sumatra, when the fish jumped out of the water and plunged its beak five centimeters into her chest, according to witnesses.
Her fellow surfers Massimo Ferro and Alexandre Ribas gave her first aid and rushed her to a local medical clinic, but they were unable to save her, surfing the Beach Arena website reported.
Manfrini described herself as a “surf and snow travel expert” on her Instagram account.
She co-founded the company Awave Journey and also worked as a surf and snowboard instructor, in addition to earning a law degree.
Indonesia-based surf rental company Naa Laut Mentawai Blue mourned the Italian once news of her death broke, writing on social media: “With an extremely heavy heart… RIP our beautiful, friendly, always smiling and happy friend Giulia Manfrini.” Someone who had such a deep love and such an overflowing enthusiasm for life!'
Fabio Giulivi, mayor of the Italian city of Venaria Reale, where Manfrini was born, wrote: “Giulia, from Venaria, only 36 years old, had long had her double dream: surfing, her favorite sport, and opening a travel agency. for sports holidays.
'The news of his death has left us shocked and makes us feel helpless in the face of the tragedy that took his life so prematurely.'
Giuliana Manfrini (pictured) is in mourning after a freak swordfish accident killed her while surfing off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
The 36-year-old Italian thrill seeker suffered a 5cm-deep wound to her heart when the swordfish jumped out of the water and stabbed her.
In 2019, Manfrini spoke about his love for Sumatra in an interview with the Salt Mermaids website.
'As for surfing, I love the wilderness of North Sumatra – the rainforest there is so primordial and beautiful!' she said.
“I love sitting in line with some friends, just listening to the sounds of the jungle, and waiting for a set that I already know will be perfect and deliver some barrels.”
He added that his favorite rest is in Nias, north of the place where he lost his life.
“I love that wave so much I could surf it every day for hours,” he said.
Manfrini (pictured) had previously spoken about his love of surfing in Indonesia.
In his last Instagram post in April, Manfrini told his followers: 'Get out of office. See you in 2 weeks.'
Swordfish attacks on humans are incredibly rare.
A 2007 article for the Asian Journal of Surgery stated that only one attack that had been reported at that time resulted in death.
The article examined the case of a 39-year-old man who died when his right eye was pierced when a swordfish “jumped toward him” while he was shining a flashlight into the water while fishing at night.
“There are no reports of unprovoked swordfish attacks on humans, although there have been several reports of attacks resulting in body and chest injuries,” the Journal reported.