Tragedy as search is called off for Brit surfing star, 28, who vanished while paddle boarding in Portugal

A RESCUE operation has been called off after a talented Brit surfer went missing while paddle boarding off the southern coast of Portugal. Arran Strong, 28, was reported missing at around 11.30am on Monday morning near the scenic Arrifana resort, prompting emergency services to launch a search. A rescue operation has been called off after a Brit surfer went missing at sea Credit: Instagram/@arran_strong Arran Strong, 28, was taking part in a paddle boarding marathon when he went missing Credit: Instagram/@arran_strong The surfing star – who grew up in Portugal – had been completing a 560-mile paddle boarding marathon with his friend, Jose Maria Pyrrait, when he suddenly vanished. Jose recalled seeing his friend’s board “drifting about 100 metres away” while the pair were attempting to cross from Monte Celrigo Beach to Carrapeteira. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! After alerting emergency services on land, Jose spent two and half hours searching for Arran, to no avail. The operation was unfortunately hindered by dense fog and was paused overnight before it resumed on Tuesday morning. It is understood Arran suffered a health complication while at sea Credit: Instagram/@arran_strong The gifted Brit ranked the highest placed British male surfer at the 2024 and 2025 ISA World Surf Games Credit: Instagram/@arran_strong The National Maritime Authority confirmed on Wednesday that the search has been called off, despite not recovering a body. On its website, it said: “The search was called off early (on Wednesday) evening without the victim being located. “According to available information, the young man disappeared at sea after running into trouble while attempting to cross from Monte Clerigo Beach to Carrapateira; the friend accompanying him was rescued by a nearby local fishing vessel, which also recovered the board the victim had been using.” In a heartbreaking tribute, his friend Jose said: “Today was a day of irreparable loss and profound sadness. Most read in The Sun “Arran Strong, who accompanied me during the stage between Zambujeira and Monte Clerigo, is no longer with us.” He said that the two of them stopped off at the resort to take a drink and a few photos before setting off again. After heading off in front of Arran, Jose said he then “stopped to wait” for him – only to look back and see an empty board. “I paddled to it as fast as I could, dived over and over again looking for him, but we were in a very deep area, and visibility was extremely poor. He then called his support partner immediately and alerted the rescue services, spending nearly two and a half hours searching for Arran. He added: “He remains missing to this day and, sadly, there is virtually no chance that he is still alive.” The pair had spent years training together, with Jose thinking of him “like a son”. “Strangely enough, he always told me he would die young,” he said. “Right now, I feel a deep pain. The only faint comfort is that he departed at sea, the place he loved most.” Love Island star and childhood friend Laura Crane also paid a heartrending tribute to the surfing legend. Sharing pictures online, she wrote: “My Magical Best Friend – This still doesn’t feel real and there there truly are no words that can quantify this loss.” “All I know is our world will never be the same again.” GB Surfing paid tribute to the gifted Brit, who was the highest-placed British male surfer at the 2024 and 2025 ISA World Surf Games. “Beyond his performances in the water, Arran was a fantastic team-mate, respected competitor and a kind, generous presence whose passion for surfing left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” he said. “His passing is a devastating loss to our sport and the wider surfing community, and he will be greatly missed.” A source from the rescue operation said “all the information gathered so far points to the possibility he had a health issue while paddling”. Comment now