The Surf World mourns the death of Katy Diaz

We are sad to announce the death of Katherine Diaz, the 22-year-old surfer from El Salvador that was struck by lightning while she trained. Katherine was practicing for a tournament in El Tunco beach, El Salvador. She was hoping to win this tournament and have an opportunity to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. 

“Katherine embodied the joy and energy that make surfing so special and dear to us all” said earlier on this week the ISA. “She excelled at the international competition level, representing her country with pride at both the World Surfing Games and ISA World JR Surfing Championship.” 

This is the first year that surfing was going to be included as a discipline in the Olympic Games of Tokyo, this is why Katherine was hopeful about participating. There will be 33 sports taking place at the Olympic Games of Tokyo 2020 and surfing has been one of the five additional sports proposed by the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee to bring more vibrant events and culture into the Olympic programme. 

From Nautical Channel we want to send our condolences to the family of Katherine Diaz. She will be dearly missed in the surfing scene and in all the nautical industry.