Daniel Bobis, U.S. Surfer, Missing In Waters Off Indonesia

MICHAEL HOLTZ / AP

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- A helicopter, fishing boats and divers scoured waters off western Indonesia on Tuesday in search of an American surfer who disappeared after coming off a powerful 10-foot (3-meter) wave.

Daniel Bobis, 32, a math teacher and coach at Long Beach High School in New York, apparently hit another surfer's board on Sunday morning after emerging from the barrel of the wave.

His wife, Rachel, said his board washed ashore soon after. She initially thought he would pop up down the coast and make his way back to their holiday bungalow.

But by Monday afternoon, she'd all but given up hope of finding him alive.

"Everyone is telling me a lot of people go missing here ... that within 48 hours his body will float up and wash in," said the 29-year-old. "That's the only thing we can be hopeful of."

On Tuesday, a helicopter joined a fleet of fishing boats and a local search-and-rescue team that have been searching the waters and the coast, said Andri, a rescuer on the scene.

Dozens of surfers, divers and snorkelers also have been looking for him.

Bobis' father and stepmother were on their way to Indonesia and friends in Long Beach held a candlelight vigil Sunday evening in the beachside community where he grew up.

"Surfing was like his religion," said Maurice Mitchell, who played in the same band as Bobis and was best man at his 2008 wedding.

"He said it was one of the most addictive experiences in life and if anybody tried to surf they'd be as hooked as he was."

When Bobis decided to become a teacher in his early 20s, Mitchell knew he'd stand out in the classroom – he was into metal and hip-hop and could match his students in slang and knowledge of youth culture.

He really came into his own in the classroom, Mitchell said, mentoring and tutoring kids and keeping an eye out for bullies.

Bobis also started a competitive surf team at Long Beach High School, where he was head coach.

___

Associated Press writer Karen Zraick contributed to this report from New York City.

Comments

[David Bumsted]

01:52 AM on 07/27/2011

His wife and I were close friends some years ago. These are great people with huge hearts. Prayers for Daniel's safe return and peace for the family.

[TYRANNASAURUS]

04:55 PM on 07/26/2011

U.S. Surfer Goes Missing In Waters Off Indonesia..............

SHARK COUNTRY!

[evanwoelde]

04:32 PM on 07/26/2011

"A helicopter, fishing boats and divers scoured waters off western Indonesia on Tuesday in search of an American surfer who disappeared after coming off a powerful 10-foot (3-meter) wave."

Western Indonesia? Indonesia is an archipelago of 17,0000 islands! Please be more precise with the location of the incident. An island/place/village/city name would have been most helpful.

Thanks for reporting on this great tragedy to Bobis' family, his friends, fans and students.

Ed

[SpuriusLartius]

03:49 PM on 07/26/2011

RIP, Danny boy! Condolences to the fam.

[mlondeaux]

02:49 PM on 07/26/2011

I tried to surf once. It was at Zuma Beach in Malibu. My boyfriend was a surfer and offered to teach me. I was thrilled. I got on the board and waited for a wave. When one finally came I paddled like there was no tomorrow. The board shot out from under me and headed straight to shore. I stayed in the same spot. That was my first and last experience with surfing.
RIP fellow surfer.

[surfdocer2]

02:04 PM on 07/26/2011

I started surfing at 52. I completly understand. Waves are like crack to me.

[mlowe0286]

01:38 PM on 07/26/2011

His loss hurts his family, students & fiends deeply. They have my condolences. And I'll bet if he could have chosen a way to die (not in bed, old, surrounded by loving people) he might well have chosen something like this. RIP, teach.

[Alan Gerbracht]

01:30 PM on 07/26/2011

They don't force motorcyclist to wear helmets in Colorado & other states because it too much fun for cyclists to defy death & injury so as to prove one's manliness, so the corporate money fights against any reasonable law to make it so. Would surfers want to be required to wear life-jackets. Those who die surfing merely enhance the super-god image of those taking risks. It's sad, but sometimes you eat the bear, & sometimes the bear eats you. Subtitute the word wave, shark, rock, etc. & it's still a choice of dire consequences, but only for a select few. Still sad.

[Apathetic Apostle]

01:10 PM on 07/26/2011

So sad to hear about this. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

[frank day]

12:37 PM on 07/26/2011

Sounds like a great guy.

What a tragic loss.

[KOPman]

12:31 PM on 07/26/2011

He knew adventure was the "spice of life". At least he went doing what he loved. RIP!!!

[weebles48]

12:13 PM on 07/26/2011

i don't surf but since moving to san diego i have come to love it. surfers are poetry in motion and they do it just for the thrill. what a beautiful sport.
rip surfer guy.

[madcityy]

12:11 PM on 07/26/2011

this is a waste of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[mebemommee06]

02:42 PM on 07/26/2011

a waste of money.. who's money is being wasted!

[KOPman]

12:33 PM on 07/26/2011

One day who'll be worm food. It all evens out in the end.

[L1A1H1]

12:06 PM on 07/26/2011

An ocean is the most unpredictable and merciless killer in the world. That's why so many people jeopardize life and limb. Because it's there. Me? I get paranoid in heavy traffic! So, no thank you, I'll leave being shark bait to those who probably taste better than me anyway. Sorry for your loss.

[Apathetic Apostle]

01:11 PM on 07/26/2011

Ironically, you are far more likely to die in Heavy Traffic than by a shark or drowning.

[hackitoff]

03:24 PM on 07/26/2011

I think even crossing a strret is more dangerous than surfing.

[L1A1H1]

11:30 AM on 07/27/2011

Or a slip in the tub. Or a cherry tomato. I think I just scared myself.

[SUES4U]

01:22 PM on 07/26/2011

You really are afraid of sharks aren't you? Watched "Jaws" too many times-so did I. I am not big on the ocean either but for those that love it I am actualy a little envious. Sounds like a great guy --sorry for the family and his students.

[jarjax1632b]

05:11 PM on 07/26/2011

I found floating out past the break-line, waiting for a large wave, was scary. I kept looking down into the dark green San Diego waters wondering how deep the water was and what kind of beasts lurked in the dark. I did alot of diving in the area and there are tons of beasts just under the surfers.