Portuguese maritime authorities have called off the search for a British surfer who disappeared off the coast of the Algarve earlier this week. Arran Strong, 28, a competitor in the World Surf League since 2016, went missing near Arrifana beach in the Aljezur municipality on Monday.
According to Portugal's Autoridade Marítima Nacional (AMN), Strong had been paddleboarding with his coach, José Maria Pyrrait, from Monte Clérigo beach towards Carrapateira when he got into difficulty. Pyrrait was rescued by a local fishing boat.
Final moments described by coach
In an Instagram post, Pyrrait recounted the moments leading up to the disappearance. He explained that the pair had stopped for a drink and to take photos during their journey. “When we set off again, I let him go ahead,” Pyrrait wrote. “As I’m a faster paddler, I always did that – whenever I caught up with him and gained a short lead, I’d stop and wait for him. This time was no different, but when I stopped to wait, I saw his board drifting about 100 metres away.”
Pyrrait said he paddled as fast as he could to the board and dived to search for Strong. “But we were in very deep water and visibility was very poor, so I called for help from my partner on shore, who immediately alerted the rescue services,” he continued. “A local fisherman picked me and the surfboards up, and we spent nearly two and a half hours scanning the entire surrounding area with the boat’s sonar.”
Pyrrait described Strong as “like a son to me; from the age of 10, he trained with me and spent his weekends and holidays with me. My love for him was like that for another son that life had given me.”
GB Surfing paid tribute to Strong on Instagram, calling him a “fantastic teammate” and “respected competitor.” The search operation, which involved multiple vessels and aerial assets, was suspended after extensive efforts failed to locate the surfer.
The incident highlights the risks faced by water sports enthusiasts along Portugal's rugged Atlantic coast, where strong currents and deep waters can pose sudden dangers. Portugal's maritime rescue services have a strong track record, as seen in the rapid response times of its INEM helicopter network, but the vastness of the ocean can sometimes limit outcomes.
Strong's disappearance has resonated within the surfing community, both in the UK and in Portugal, where many expatriates and visitors enjoy the region's renowned waves. The Algarve remains a popular destination for surfers, but this tragedy serves as a reminder of the need for caution, especially in remote areas.
