Search: Missing North Shore Shaper/Surfer Joaquin Velilla
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UPDATE: According to a KGMB9 report out of Honolulu, "The Honolulu Fire Department plans to call off the search for a missing North Shore surfer at sunset on Sunday unless new evidence is found. Joaquin Velilla was last seen surfing at Pipeline on Thursday."
Original story below.--Ed
Tuesday, January 16..... Warning flags were still posted along North Shore beaches, 5 days after 35-year old shaper/surfer Joaquin Velilla was reported missing after a late afternoon surf at Pipeline last week, Thursday. The land, sea and air search covered waters extending five miles out from the coast, stretching from Kaena Point east to Kawela Bay, just north of Velzy Land. The Coast Guard and Fire Department called off their portion of the search over the weekend after divers had exhausted their efforts in attempting to locate Velilla's body in the immediate Pipeline reef area. High surf and currents continued into this new week with all life-guards keeping an attentive eye out along the immediate stretch of the North Shore. Joaquin Velilla - originally from Puerto Rico - was a well known shaper on O'ahu. At present time members of his family have flown in to continue their own search and support. - Bernie Baker
U.S. COAST GUARD, Honolulu Fire Department rescue teams, North Shore lifeguards, surfers and friends continued to search North Shore coastal waters and beaches this weekend, from Kaena Point to Kawela Bay, after 35 year old surfboard shaper Joaquin Velilla, of Puerto Rico, disappeared after a late Thursday afternoon-into dusk surf at the Pipeline.
His girl friend found his car at the Ehukai Beach park parking lot around 10 p.m. and his board had been found near Pipeline that same evening. Search and rescue teams were still combing the shoreline and waters up to five miles out, 30 hours later with no sight of him. The line-up at Pipe was packed with dozens of body boarders and surfers the evening of Velilla's disappearance - biggest sets in the triple-overhead range - shortly after a women's body board championship had been completed.
As of Friday night two swells were still running in the 8'-12' range, from the west and north-west, and search teams were still considering their work a rescue effort, not a recovery. - Bernie Baker
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