11 July 2023 , 11:06
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A professional surfer bled to death after severing a vital artery in his leg while riding waves in Indonesia.
Mikala Jones, 44, was surfing off the coast of the Mentawai Islands when he reportedly cut a femoral artery.
Although the exact details of the Hawaiian's death are unclear, fellow pros lined up to pay tributes to the much-loved surfer.
His daughter, Isabella, shared touching photos of the two of them saying she was "in so much disbelief right now, this doesn't feel real".
She explained her "dad got into a bad surfing accident and didn't make it" but she was "happy he was doing what he loved the most."
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She said: “I love you so much dad and I wish I could give you one last hug.
Mikala died doing what he loved - surfing (ENTERPRISE NEWS AND PICTURES)“I wish I could tell you again how much I love you and thank you for being the best dad. I wish you were still here with us, you weren’t supposed to leave yet. This is too soon.”
She continued: “Life will never be the same without you. I miss you so much, I would do anything to get one more moment, even if it was us arguing and then laughing our a**es off.
“Thank you for teaching me so many life lessons, and always being there for me. I wish you were still here with us right now. I will always be thinking about you dad.”
One of Mr Jones' signature photos (ENTERPRISE NEWS AND PICTURES)Mikala was born on Rock Point in Hawaii and moved to Bali in the early 2000s.
He is known in the surfing community for discovering new surfing destinations around the world.
He would use a GoPro to film himself surfing, making incredible videos from the middle of breaking waves.
His pictures have been used on the covers of a number of surfing magazines over the years.
Three-time surfing World Champion, Mick Fanning, shared a photo of himself and Mr Jone together on Instagram.
Mr Jones leaves behind three daughters (ENTERPRISE NEWS AND PICTURES)He wrote: “So shattered to hear the news. Mikala you were one of a kind. Funny, mellow, an explorer, a pioneer but most of all loving husband and father. Going to miss your sense of humour and classic one liners. Love how you always kept it real but were a true ambassador of aloha.
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“To Emma and the girls sending so much love. Mikala loved you more than anything and would always be showing us pictures and videos with the proudest smile on his face. Grateful to have known you the past 25 years and honoured to go exploring with you in that time. You will be missed. #MJalldayMay you forever get barrelled whilst guiding your family from above. Love you brother.”
Mikala is survived by his wife and their three children.