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2026-07-30 22:13 UTC → 2026-08-03 19:32 UTC ·
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On 29 July 2026, British professional surfer Arran Strong vanished on 27 July 2026 while paddle‑boarding near Arrifana beach in Portugal’s Algarve region. Initial rescue efforts beach, Portugal, as he attempted to cross from Monte Clérigo to Carrapateira with his coach José Maria Pyrrait. Pyrrait was rescued by a local fishing boat vessel, and the Portuguese authorities were hampered by low visibility and fog, leading to an expanded maritime authority conducted a four‑day search the following day. After four days of searching without locating Strong, officials paused the operation overnight and then resumed with using sonar equipment. By On 30 July 2026, the Portuguese maritime authority announced the search was being called off and Strong was declared presumed dead. Tributes highlighted his standing in GB Surfing posted a tribute calling him a “fantastic teammate” and mourning the loss to the surfing community community. On 4 August a public paddle‑out ceremony took place at North Fistral in Newquay, England, where friends, fellow surfers and local supporters gathered on the water to honour his decade‑long international career and his achievements in the World Surf League.