Professional surfer Arran Strong, 28, has been presumed dead after disappearing during a stand-up paddleboard journey along Portugal’s Algarve coast, authorities said after a multi-day search effort failed to locate him.
Strong was a popular, well-respected figure in British surfing and had represented Great Britain in international competitions.
GB Surfing, the national governing body for Great Britain’s surfing teams, said it was “deeply saddened" by his "tragic passing" and highlighted his success at the 2024 and 2025 ISA World Surf Games.
Strong was completing a long-distance paddleboard trek near the southwestern coast of Portugal on July 27 when he went missing. He was accompanied by his coach and close friend José Maria Pyrrait during the trip from Monte Clérigo beach to Carrapateira.
Pyrrait, on social media, recalled what happened that day, saying that the pair stopped near Arrifana to rest, drink water, and take photographs before continuing their route. At that point, Strong went ahead of Pyrrait, but shortly after, his board was drifting without him.
Pyrrait immediately began searching for Strong and contacted his partner on land to alert authorities. A major rescue operation involving boats and search teams was launched but was called off after several days.
Pyrrait described their relationship as deeply personal and said the surfer was like a son to him and described the loss as devastating.
The circumstances surrounding Strong’s disappearance remain unclear. An investigation into what exactly unfolded during the paddleboarding expedition remains ongoing.