COMMUNITY REMEMBERS SKATER AND SURFER
More than 350 people gathered on Saturday afternoon to pay respect and celebrate the life of 19-year-old Lagunan Hunter Schwirtz at the beach end of Oak Street on the overlook deck.
The overflow crowd spilled onto Gaviota Drive while they listened to speeches, remembrances and anecdotes about Schwirtz, who died Sept. 26.
The event drew community members, neighbors, friends and extended family from the skate and surf communities throughout Laguna Beach, where Schwirtz was a prominent contributor.
One of Schwirtz' good friends Chance Gaul grew up skateboarding and surfing with Schwirtz in competitive downhill events, as well as surfing at Brooks Street. He said Schwirtz had a positive impact on everyone he encountered and was loved by many.
"He made me the man I am today," Gaul said in an email. "He is the best big brother ever."
Following the service, a traditional paddleout took place at Brooks Street, where Schwirtz lived and surfed. Folks paddled out to "second reef" on everything from high-performance surfboards to boogie boards to pay their respects on the water.
Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot 10.09.2015
PADDLE OUT TO REMEMBER A LOCAL TEEN
Friends and family plan a paddle out honoring Hunter Schwirtz at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Oak Street Beach lookout and a remembrance celebration throughout the afternoon.
Pastor Sumo Sato of H20 Community Church of Huntington Beach said he will lead the service.
Schwirtz took his own life Saturday, Sept. 26, days short of his 20th birthday, Oct. 5.
“He was loved by everybody,” said Danielle Purcell, a realtor who said she hired Santo to conduct the service. The week before, Schwirtz described “head spinning” to his parents, who spent time with him and consoled him, according to Purcell, but last Saturday the youth sent a good-bye text to his friends. “His dad rushed over, but he was gone,” Purcell said. Schwirtz’s father did not respond to requests for comment.
Police found a 19-year-old dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound in the 100 block of Brooks Street, Sgt. Tim Kleiser said.
Friend Chance Gaul, 18, this week focused on recalling a decade of youthful hijinks alongside Schwirtz, such as tossing water balloons at lifeguards and making a nuisance of themselves at Laguna Surf & Sport. “He was for sure like my big brother,” said Gaul, adding that Schwirtz experienced loss at 9 when his mother died. “We’ve been through so much,” he said.
Gaul said Schwirtz had started his own business teaching surfing and paddle boarding this summer and was “stoked for the future.” “This definitely caught us off guard,” he said.
Schwirtz was well known for helping beginners learn to surf at his favorite break at Brooks Street, said girlfriend Nicole Pizzimenti.
Schwirtz also was among the local youth who spoke up in defense of skateboarding when Laguna Beach debated banning certain streets to downhill riders several years ago. He took first place in the pro-division of the Talega Slide Jam, an unsanctioned race in San Clemente in 2011.
Schwirtz is survived by his father Matt Schwirtz, also of Laguna Beach. The identity of other survivors was not immediately available.
Editor’s Note: The Indy generally does not report on suicide, but made an exception due to extraordinary interest in the young victim.
Laguna Beach Indy 10.03.2015
THE TRAGIC DEATH OF HUNTER SCHWIRTZ - A LOSS TO MANY
Police and fire units responded to the 100 block of Brooks Street after a 9-1-1 call was received about a possible suicide at 9:15 Saturday night, LBPD Sgt. Tim Kleiser said Monday. “When the officers arrived they found a 19-year-old male deceased inside the residence with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.”
Hunter was a popular and well-known surfer and skater who grew up here and attended Laguna Beach schools, played Little League and was, for the most part, a typical Laguna Beach kid.
Stu News Laguna 09.29.15
THE LIFE OF HUNTER SCHWIRTZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiVaM43b9BM
REST EASY KID
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4nb0kmWzBc
MEMORIAL BIRTHDAY VIDEO
https://animoto.com/play/RmjnIQwYTeuwBvPL7TgjxQ
HUNTER(in black)DOWNHILL SKATEBOARDING VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS76DJGY_zI
More than 350 people gathered on Saturday afternoon to pay respect and celebrate the life of 19-year-old Lagunan Hunter Schwirtz at the beach end of Oak Street on the overlook deck.
The overflow crowd spilled onto Gaviota Drive while they listened to speeches, remembrances and anecdotes about Schwirtz, who died Sept. 26.
The event drew community members, neighbors, friends and extended family from the skate and surf communities throughout Laguna Beach, where Schwirtz was a prominent contributor.
One of Schwirtz' good friends Chance Gaul grew up skateboarding and surfing with Schwirtz in competitive downhill events, as well as surfing at Brooks Street. He said Schwirtz had a positive impact on everyone he encountered and was loved by many.
"He made me the man I am today," Gaul said in an email. "He is the best big brother ever."
Following the service, a traditional paddleout took place at Brooks Street, where Schwirtz lived and surfed. Folks paddled out to "second reef" on everything from high-performance surfboards to boogie boards to pay their respects on the water.
Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot 10.09.2015
PADDLE OUT TO REMEMBER A LOCAL TEEN
Friends and family plan a paddle out honoring Hunter Schwirtz at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Oak Street Beach lookout and a remembrance celebration throughout the afternoon.
Pastor Sumo Sato of H20 Community Church of Huntington Beach said he will lead the service.
Schwirtz took his own life Saturday, Sept. 26, days short of his 20th birthday, Oct. 5.
“He was loved by everybody,” said Danielle Purcell, a realtor who said she hired Santo to conduct the service. The week before, Schwirtz described “head spinning” to his parents, who spent time with him and consoled him, according to Purcell, but last Saturday the youth sent a good-bye text to his friends. “His dad rushed over, but he was gone,” Purcell said. Schwirtz’s father did not respond to requests for comment.
Police found a 19-year-old dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound in the 100 block of Brooks Street, Sgt. Tim Kleiser said.
Friend Chance Gaul, 18, this week focused on recalling a decade of youthful hijinks alongside Schwirtz, such as tossing water balloons at lifeguards and making a nuisance of themselves at Laguna Surf & Sport. “He was for sure like my big brother,” said Gaul, adding that Schwirtz experienced loss at 9 when his mother died. “We’ve been through so much,” he said.
Gaul said Schwirtz had started his own business teaching surfing and paddle boarding this summer and was “stoked for the future.” “This definitely caught us off guard,” he said.
Schwirtz was well known for helping beginners learn to surf at his favorite break at Brooks Street, said girlfriend Nicole Pizzimenti.
Schwirtz also was among the local youth who spoke up in defense of skateboarding when Laguna Beach debated banning certain streets to downhill riders several years ago. He took first place in the pro-division of the Talega Slide Jam, an unsanctioned race in San Clemente in 2011.
Schwirtz is survived by his father Matt Schwirtz, also of Laguna Beach. The identity of other survivors was not immediately available.
Editor’s Note: The Indy generally does not report on suicide, but made an exception due to extraordinary interest in the young victim.
Laguna Beach Indy 10.03.2015
THE TRAGIC DEATH OF HUNTER SCHWIRTZ - A LOSS TO MANY
Police and fire units responded to the 100 block of Brooks Street after a 9-1-1 call was received about a possible suicide at 9:15 Saturday night, LBPD Sgt. Tim Kleiser said Monday. “When the officers arrived they found a 19-year-old male deceased inside the residence with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.”
Hunter was a popular and well-known surfer and skater who grew up here and attended Laguna Beach schools, played Little League and was, for the most part, a typical Laguna Beach kid.
Stu News Laguna 09.29.15
THE LIFE OF HUNTER SCHWIRTZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiVaM43b9BM
REST EASY KID
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4nb0kmWzBc
MEMORIAL BIRTHDAY VIDEO
https://animoto.com/play/RmjnIQwYTeuwBvPL7TgjxQ
HUNTER(in black)DOWNHILL SKATEBOARDING VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS76DJGY_zI
COMMUNITY REMEMBERS SKATER AND SURFER
More than 350 people gathered on Saturday afternoon to pay respect and celebrate the life of 19-year-old Lagunan Hunter Schwirtz at the beach end of Oak Street on the overlook deck.
The overflow crowd spilled onto Gaviota Drive while they listened to speeches, remembrances and anecdotes about Schwirtz, who died Sept. 26.
The event drew community members, neighbors, friends and extended family from the skate and surf communities throughout Laguna Beach, where Schwirtz was a prominent contributor.
One of Schwirtz' good friends Chance Gaul grew up skateboarding and surfing with Schwirtz in competitive downhill events, as well as surfing at Brooks Street. He said Schwirtz had a positive impact on everyone he encountered and was loved by many.
"He made me the man I am today," Gaul said in an email. "He is the best big brother ever."
Following the service, a traditional paddleout took place at Brooks Street, where Schwirtz lived and surfed. Folks paddled out to "second reef" on everything from high-performance surfboards to boogie boards to pay their respects on the water.
Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot 10.09.2015
PADDLE OUT TO REMEMBER A LOCAL TEEN
Friends and family plan a paddle out honoring Hunter Schwirtz at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Oak Street Beach lookout and a remembrance celebration throughout the afternoon.
Pastor Sumo Sato of H20 Community Church of Huntington Beach said he will lead the service.
Schwirtz took his own life Saturday, Sept. 26, days short of his 20th birthday, Oct. 5.
“He was loved by everybody,” said Danielle Purcell, a realtor who said she hired Santo to conduct the service. The week before, Schwirtz described “head spinning” to his parents, who spent time with him and consoled him, according to Purcell, but last Saturday the youth sent a good-bye text to his friends. “His dad rushed over, but he was gone,” Purcell said. Schwirtz’s father did not respond to requests for comment.
Police found a 19-year-old dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound in the 100 block of Brooks Street, Sgt. Tim Kleiser said.
Friend Chance Gaul, 18, this week focused on recalling a decade of youthful hijinks alongside Schwirtz, such as tossing water balloons at lifeguards and making a nuisance of themselves at Laguna Surf & Sport. “He was for sure like my big brother,” said Gaul, adding that Schwirtz experienced loss at 9 when his mother died. “We’ve been through so much,” he said.
Gaul said Schwirtz had started his own business teaching surfing and paddle boarding this summer and was “stoked for the future.” “This definitely caught us off guard,” he said.
Schwirtz was well known for helping beginners learn to surf at his favorite break at Brooks Street, said girlfriend Nicole Pizzimenti.
Schwirtz also was among the local youth who spoke up in defense of skateboarding when Laguna Beach debated banning certain streets to downhill riders several years ago. He took first place in the pro-division of the Talega Slide Jam, an unsanctioned race in San Clemente in 2011.
Schwirtz is survived by his father Matt Schwirtz, also of Laguna Beach. The identity of other survivors was not immediately available.
Editor’s Note: The Indy generally does not report on suicide, but made an exception due to extraordinary interest in the young victim.
Laguna Beach Indy 10.03.2015
THE TRAGIC DEATH OF HUNTER SCHWIRTZ - A LOSS TO MANY
Police and fire units responded to the 100 block of Brooks Street after a 9-1-1 call was received about a possible suicide at 9:15 Saturday night, LBPD Sgt. Tim Kleiser said Monday. “When the officers arrived they found a 19-year-old male deceased inside the residence with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.”
Hunter was a popular and well-known surfer and skater who grew up here and attended Laguna Beach schools, played Little League and was, for the most part, a typical Laguna Beach kid.
Stu News Laguna 09.29.15
THE LIFE OF HUNTER SCHWIRTZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiVaM43b9BM
REST EASY KID
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4nb0kmWzBc
MEMORIAL BIRTHDAY VIDEO
https://animoto.com/play/RmjnIQwYTeuwBvPL7TgjxQ
HUNTER(in black)DOWNHILL SKATEBOARDING VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS76DJGY_zI
More than 350 people gathered on Saturday afternoon to pay respect and celebrate the life of 19-year-old Lagunan Hunter Schwirtz at the beach end of Oak Street on the overlook deck.
The overflow crowd spilled onto Gaviota Drive while they listened to speeches, remembrances and anecdotes about Schwirtz, who died Sept. 26.
The event drew community members, neighbors, friends and extended family from the skate and surf communities throughout Laguna Beach, where Schwirtz was a prominent contributor.
One of Schwirtz' good friends Chance Gaul grew up skateboarding and surfing with Schwirtz in competitive downhill events, as well as surfing at Brooks Street. He said Schwirtz had a positive impact on everyone he encountered and was loved by many.
"He made me the man I am today," Gaul said in an email. "He is the best big brother ever."
Following the service, a traditional paddleout took place at Brooks Street, where Schwirtz lived and surfed. Folks paddled out to "second reef" on everything from high-performance surfboards to boogie boards to pay their respects on the water.
Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot 10.09.2015
PADDLE OUT TO REMEMBER A LOCAL TEEN
Friends and family plan a paddle out honoring Hunter Schwirtz at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Oak Street Beach lookout and a remembrance celebration throughout the afternoon.
Pastor Sumo Sato of H20 Community Church of Huntington Beach said he will lead the service.
Schwirtz took his own life Saturday, Sept. 26, days short of his 20th birthday, Oct. 5.
“He was loved by everybody,” said Danielle Purcell, a realtor who said she hired Santo to conduct the service. The week before, Schwirtz described “head spinning” to his parents, who spent time with him and consoled him, according to Purcell, but last Saturday the youth sent a good-bye text to his friends. “His dad rushed over, but he was gone,” Purcell said. Schwirtz’s father did not respond to requests for comment.
Police found a 19-year-old dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound in the 100 block of Brooks Street, Sgt. Tim Kleiser said.
Friend Chance Gaul, 18, this week focused on recalling a decade of youthful hijinks alongside Schwirtz, such as tossing water balloons at lifeguards and making a nuisance of themselves at Laguna Surf & Sport. “He was for sure like my big brother,” said Gaul, adding that Schwirtz experienced loss at 9 when his mother died. “We’ve been through so much,” he said.
Gaul said Schwirtz had started his own business teaching surfing and paddle boarding this summer and was “stoked for the future.” “This definitely caught us off guard,” he said.
Schwirtz was well known for helping beginners learn to surf at his favorite break at Brooks Street, said girlfriend Nicole Pizzimenti.
Schwirtz also was among the local youth who spoke up in defense of skateboarding when Laguna Beach debated banning certain streets to downhill riders several years ago. He took first place in the pro-division of the Talega Slide Jam, an unsanctioned race in San Clemente in 2011.
Schwirtz is survived by his father Matt Schwirtz, also of Laguna Beach. The identity of other survivors was not immediately available.
Editor’s Note: The Indy generally does not report on suicide, but made an exception due to extraordinary interest in the young victim.
Laguna Beach Indy 10.03.2015
THE TRAGIC DEATH OF HUNTER SCHWIRTZ - A LOSS TO MANY
Police and fire units responded to the 100 block of Brooks Street after a 9-1-1 call was received about a possible suicide at 9:15 Saturday night, LBPD Sgt. Tim Kleiser said Monday. “When the officers arrived they found a 19-year-old male deceased inside the residence with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.”
Hunter was a popular and well-known surfer and skater who grew up here and attended Laguna Beach schools, played Little League and was, for the most part, a typical Laguna Beach kid.
Stu News Laguna 09.29.15
THE LIFE OF HUNTER SCHWIRTZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiVaM43b9BM
REST EASY KID
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4nb0kmWzBc
MEMORIAL BIRTHDAY VIDEO
https://animoto.com/play/RmjnIQwYTeuwBvPL7TgjxQ
HUNTER(in black)DOWNHILL SKATEBOARDING VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS76DJGY_zI
