Today would have been his 27th birthday, and today Santa Cruz will honor the surfer who died in a shark attack on May 9th,
Today is “Ben Kelly Day” in Santa Cruz County. The Orange County native moved to Pleasure Point three years ago with his wife, Katie. Kelly died after he was attacked while surfing off Sand Dollar beach.
The shark, described as “almost certainly” a 10-12 foot great white fatally bit Kelly on his right leg.
In addition to creating a surfboard brand, Kelly and his wife founded and operated digital marketing company Authentic Approach.
The Santa Cruz Sentinel reports that more than 100 people said they planned to attend a memorial paddle-out scheduled today in San Clemente, where Kelly first learned to surf. A GoFundMe campaign in support of his wife had raised more $135,000 by Wednesday afternoon.
