The family of Joe Tolano and Surf Life Saving Queensland are mourning the loss of the 18-year-old who drowned on the Sunshine Coast last week.
Joe was a much-loved member of the Sunshine Coast Surf Life Saving community.
On Wednesday afternoon shortly before a club training session, Joe came off his surfboard while out in the water with mates at Buddina Beach.
He disappeared in the water and a multi agency search spent three days looking for him until he was found on Friday night.
Joe’s family, Dad and Mum Glenn and Clare and his sister Abbie, have released a statement and asked for space to grieve.
“We have lost our beautiful son, bother, nephew, grandson, cousin and friend.”
“Joe was a child of the ocean and he absolutely loved nippers. His body was small but his heart huge. He was chasing his dream of being an Ironman. We have lost him doing what he loved surrounded by some of his best mates, and that fact helps us carry this unimaginable pain.
“We feel grateful for the love and support that has been wrapped around us by our friends, family and the surf clubs in which Joe grew up.
“We are sincerely appreciative of the efforts of SLSQ, emergency services and volunteers who have made it possible to have him back with us,” they said.
Surf Life Saving Queensland Chief Operating Officer Greg Cahill said the loss has deeply affected the surf life saving community across not only the Sunshine Coast region but also the state.
“Our surf life saving community is incredibly close-knit, particularly within our surf sport ranks. Joe was a passionate and dedicated young lifesaver who was well known and respected by his club peers, teammates and competitors,” Mr Cahill said.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for our clubs on the Sunshine Coast and for surf lifesavers right across Queensland. On behalf of Surf Life Saving Queensland, I extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Joe’s family and friends during this devastating time.”
“Surf Life Saving Queensland is providing ongoing welfare and peer support to members and volunteers involved in the search and to the affected clubs,” he said.
Met Caloundra Surf Life Saving Club President Brett Magnussen said the club was devastated by the loss of one of its young members.
“Joe was a valued and much-loved member of our Met Caloundra family. After many years at Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club, he joined Met Caloundra last year and quickly became a big part of our club community,” Mr Magnussen said.
“He was a passionate young lifesaver, who loved patrolling the beach and keeping people safe. He brought great energy to training and competition, and he was incredibly well regarded not just within our club, but across the Sunshine Coast surf lifesaving community.”
“This is an incredibly difficult time for our members, particularly the young people who trained and competed alongside Joe. Our entire club is heartbroken, and our thoughts are firmly with Joe’s family and friends.”
“We are grateful to the many lifesavers from our club and neighbouring clubs who gave their time and energy to assist in the search, and we thank all agencies involved for their support during such a difficult time.”
“Right now, our focus is on supporting his family, our members and each other as we come to terms with this tragic loss.”
Reflecting on Joe’s long history in surf life saving on the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club has also paid tribute to one of its own.
Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club President Johnny Gooderham said Joe had been with the club since he was a young nipper.
“Joe and his family have been a big part of our club for many years and continue to be involved. Our entire club is heartbroken, and we’re all devastated by this loss,” Mr Gooderham said.
Surf Life Saving Queensland would like to sincerely thank the many volunteer surf lifesavers, lifeguards and staff from across the Sunshine Coast who assisted in the search effort, along with the Queensland Police Service and all partner agencies involved in the operation.
