by Mike Cody
The South Bay surf community has been mourning the loss of Skyler Nelson this past week. The 22-year-old Redondo resident was found dead in his bed on the morning of October 6 from an apparent seizure. Nelson suffered from epilepsy.
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Friends and family have been gathering each evening since Nelson’s death on the Hermosa Beach Strand, Nelson’s favorite place when he wasn’t in the water surfing. The Strand wall has been lined with candles and chalk art in his memory.
“Rip In paradise brother. Until we meet again. We love and miss you Skyler. 10-17-1991 — 10-6-14” one chalk tribute read.
Thursday evening, over 100 people gathered at the end of the Hermosa Beach pier, under a sign that reads, “No diving. No Alcohol. No Skateboards. No Bicycles. No Scooters.”
The “No” in front of “Diving” was scratched out and replaced with “Sky.” Last Forth of July Nelson had done a back flip off the pier.
For over two hours, laughter and tears flowed as friends recalled Nelson as a truly magical person who was always smiling and upbeat. He was a model on how to live life to its fullest, while also being a great brother, uncle and friend who was always there for the people in his life, friends said.
His mother Stacie Rees urged his many friends to remember her son whenever they surfed and to learn from his example.
Friday evening at the Lighthouse, punk bands The Neckties, The Imposters and Special C dedicated their show to Nelson, who had told friends that he planned to attend the show.
Nelson lived in Encinitas until his family moved to Redondo Beach when he started high school. He was a four-year member of the Redondo Union High surf team. After graduating in 2010 he worked in construction and could be seen skateboarding with his nail gun to work sites throughout the beach cities.
A paddle out in his memory will be held at Tenth Street in Hermosa Beach on Saturday, one day after what would have been his 23rd birthday. Pier Surf will provide surfboards for the paddleout. Nelson’s family has established the Live Like Sky Foundation to raise money to teach disadvantaged kids to surf.
