JoltBlog

A young mum has revealed her devastation over losing her soulmate who tragically drowned in front of her and their baby daughter after going for 'one last paddle' in a surfing competition. 

Jamie Civil, 35, died after competing on Aramoana Beach near Dunedin in New Zealand on March 26. He was regarded as one of the country's top wave riders. 

Tragedy struck when he entered the surf for an extra session after competing in the event, while his partner Courtney Morgan and their six-month-old daughter Lenni watched on.

Courtney Morgan has been left devastated over the death of her partner Jamie Civil, 35, after a surfing competition in New Zealand's south.  Jamie is pictured holding their daughter, Lenni

Courtney said by the time lifeguards and doctors got to Jamie, he couldn't be saved

The semi-professional surfer was regarded as one of New Zealand's best and was know for his love of huge waves

Jamie was held underwater by the big surf, and by the time lifeguards and doctors got to him he couldn't be saved.

Courtney has been posting pictures of the family on Instagram in memory of the times they shared following his death.

She told FEMAIL Jamie's death has been a 'heavy load'.

'He was so special to us and his beauty should be shared, especially for our darling daughter,' she said. 

RELATED ARTICLES

• Previous
• 1
• Next

• Bride is shockingly labelled a 'bridezilla' by her... Aussie mum living with alopecia weighs in on Will Smith's... Fury as cancer screening program set to save 12,000 LIVES is... 'My dream man is now a meth addict': Wife shattered after...

Share this article

Courtney also revealed the proud dad couldn't wait to get Lenni on a surfboard. 

In one post, Courtney shared a picture of the trio on the beach and described their love as 'perfect'. 

'I love you so much and I know you love us too, you made sure we knew it everyday,' she wrote.

'I was the happiest I've ever experienced in my life, with you and you were the same, we were perfect. The ultimate love. I will always love you, my darling heart.'

Jamie, pictured with Lenni, has been described as having incredible talent while also remaining humble

Jamie, Courtney and Lenni loved their beach lifestyle

In another she said 'everything always made sense' when she was with Jamie.

The waves were 'huge' on the day he died but the surfer was known for braving dangerous conditions and would often go in when no-one else dared.

'These were the conditions he lived for, was talented and experienced with and thrived in, making the tragedy so much harder for people to process,' a spokesperson for the local surfing community said.

Other surfers have posted their own tributes to the 'legend' barrel-rider.

'I ran into Jamie a few times on my trips down south and was always blown away by his freakish tube riding skills and humble attitude,' one surfer said.

While another thanked the 'legend' for all of his help over the years, labelling him 'one of the greats'.

Courtney said 'everything always made sense' when she was with Jamie

'Last time I saw you were so happy surrounded by your beautiful family, could see you were embracing dad life and loving every minute,' another friend said. 

The community of Dunedin is reeling from the loss but also working to get behind Courtney and her daughter.

Jamie was the sole wage-earner in the home which means Courtney will need to head back to work earlier than expected.

New mum Courtney now needs to go back to work sooner than expected after Jamie's death

A Give A Little page has been set up to take away the financial burden of paying for funeral expenses and to give the new mum some breathing room.

The money will be used to help fund her modest living expenses until Courtney can get a job to provide for their young daughter. 

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3IpbCmmZmhe6S7ja6iaJ6Voq6quI6aqa2hk6Gybn2Pb25pamRofJq71KeeZqWlonqlsdWaqq2ZpJqxbrzAq6unnaJil6K5yJ5kfKGmnrlusNGorqedlGKOs63MqJinmV13sqKvx2arq5mXmrG6esetpKU%3D