Family and friends gather next to the Huntington Beach pier for a Hawaiian-style paddle out memorial for surfer John Kissel, 43, of Costa Mesa who died Aug. 29 in a cliff-diving accident at Lake Havasu. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Surfers cheered, splashed the water and held hands in a large circle in Kissel’s honor. A Mass was held at St. Mary’s by the Sea Catholic Church in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A surfer pays tribute by wearing a personalized T-shirt and tossing a flower into the water to honor Kissel. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Kissel’s friends and family rally on the beach before the paddle out memorial. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Surfers take to the water as the paddle out memorial for John Kissel begins. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A stand-up paddle surfer offers encouragement to family and friends honoring John Kissel. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
After the memorial, members of the group try to catch a wave in honor of their friend, surfer John Kissel. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
