As if the news hasn’t been bad enough lately, now we’re learning that the grandson of a surf legend has died following an ebike crash.
According to the Daily Pilot, the victim, identified as 20-year old Huntington Beach resident Kolby Aipa, died three days after he was struck by a car that had been towing him on PCH.
The crash occurred around 10:08 p.m. Saturday night, near Seapoint Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach.
Aipa was taken to UCI Medical Center suffering from critical injuries, where he was placed on life support. His family’s business posted online that he died Tuesday afternoon.
Surfer writes that Aipa was heir to “surf royalty,” the grandson of legendary surfer, board shaper and surfing coach Ben Aipa, a member of both the Surfing Walk of Fame and Surfers’ Hall of Fame. He was the inventor of the groundbreaking Sting surfboard design.
According to the magazine,
Following in his strong surfing lineage, Kolby was an up-and-coming surfer himself. He was sponsored by the clothing brand AVVA, Dakine, Cobian footwear, and others. He was a member of the Huntington Beach Board Riders club…
A memorial paddle-out for Kolby is being planned; stay tuned for more information.
There’s no word on why Aipa was being towed by a car, which was driven by people he knew. However, it’s possible that his ebike battery had died, and he was being towed rather than pedaling a heavy bike.
Or it could have just been an ill-advised stunt.
According to a crowdfunding campaign in his honor,
Kolby always had a way with touching the lives of whoever he met. His acts of kindness and caring was his gift of Aloha to friends and strangers alike. To everyone that reads this…pass his Aloha on. So, how Kolby treated you, treat others in that same way…
In this you are continuing his legacy of Aloha.
As of this writing, the campaign has raised nearly $69,000 of the $75,000 goal.
This is at least the 31st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the just the third that I’m aware of in Orange County.
Update: According to My News LA, Aipa was holding onto a Toyota Tacoma pickup being driven south on PCH — a practice known as skitching — when the driver somehow lost control of the truck, leading to their collision.
There should be no need to point out how dangerous that can be.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Kolby Aipa and his loved ones.
Anyone know if this was an electric bicycle, e-moped or e-motorcycle?
Sad that he wasted a life at 20.
It was a regular E-Bike. No helmet. He was our friend’s son. Our community is shattered.
My LEO source in HB tell’s me this was a totally avoidable accident. Unfortunately, the young man chose to operate the e-bike in an unsafe/unlawful manner, which ultimately cost him his life. We’ve all seen how young people, especially juvenile males ride their e-bikes with wanton disregard for the rules of the road. Running stop signs, red lights, riding on the sidewalk at high rates of speed, failing to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks, riding on the wrong side of the road, multiple riders etc.
Show some compassion though ! He was 20 and a described by everyone like a great guy. He was someone’s son, brother, friend and much more. A stupid action does not define him and he did not deserve to die like that and that young. Its a very tragic thing! My heart is with his family …their lives are shuttered.