By Isle of Wight Observer
Surfers paid tribute, on Wednesday, to one of their number who died following a collision outside Sandown Library on New Year’s Eve.
Around 40 people took part in a ‘paddle out’ at Small Hope Beach, Shanklin, on what would have been Jay Nicholls’ 49th birthday.
Jay was a keen surfer, and well known within the surfing community. His children, Callum and Sascha, also took part in the tribute, with Callum saying later on Facebook: “Thank you to everyone who turned up and to those who paddled out!
“Dad would have absolutely loved that and would have been forever grateful for everyone coming together and showing their love towards him; it’s exactly what he would have wanted.
“It meant a lot to me and my sister to see how many people loved him and shared their life with him.
“Me and Sascha went over to Compton later in the day, walked along to where Dad use to call home, where his little beach shack once stood and placed a natural wreath in memory of him in the place he felt most at home.”
Family have asked that any donations are made to Hants & IW Air Ambulance and the Wave Project.
Following the collision, a 73-year-old man from Brading was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He remains under investigation.
