A 22-year-old Olympic surfing hopeful, Katherine Diaz was struck and killed by lightning while training in the waters of her home country, El Salvador, on March 19, it has emerged.
Diaz was training for an upcoming surfing event—one that she hoped would qualify her for this year’s Olympics—when she was struck.
According to CNN, the country’s surfing federation (FESASURF) confirmed that Diaz was in the water at El Tunco beach in southwest El Salvador with her friend and uncle when the tragedy happened and efforts to revive her failed.
Beto Diaz, who is a surfing coach, said after his niece arrived at the beach, she hugged a friend, a German surfer who was also there to practice.
When they finished embracing, there was roar, he told a local newspaper, adding;
The friend was thrown by the force of the lightning strike. The board threw me back. Katherine died instantly.
Observers stated that the storm had come up suddenly and a witness, according to Guardian, said;
The sky was clear and it was an unforeseen storm that did not seem to carry much electrical intensity.
Diaz was preparing for 2021 El Salvador World Surfing Games in May. The contest is a qualifier for Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
The El Salvador Surf Federation issued a statement grieving “a great athlete who has represented our country. See you soon, great warrior. El Salvador is in mourning.”
Meanwhile, International Surfing Association honoured Diaz in a tweet, saying Diaz excelled at the international competition level and represented her country with pride.
It is with a heavy heart that the ISA has learned about the passing of El Salvador’s Katherine Diaz. pic.twitter.com/7SQCEHPpu3
— ISA (@ISAsurfing) March 21, 2021
Katherine embodied the joy and energy that make surfing so special and dear to us all, as a global ambassador of the sport. She excelled at the int’l competition level, representing her country with pride at both the World Surfing Games and ISA World Jr Surfing Championship. pic.twitter.com/IdzbvisUrv
— ISA (@ISAsurfing) March 21, 2021
Diaz had worked as a chef and had opened her own business in El Tunco. Diaz’s funeral was on Sunday – media in El Salvador tweeted a picture of her surfboard next to her coffin, along with flowers and photos.
Tomorrow, March 24, a paddle-out ceremony will be held to honor her.
