Paddling tribute to surfer killed by shark

29 Jul 2012, 4:31 pm   -   Source: AAP

More than 200 people have gathered on a Perth beach to honour surfer Ben Linden, 24, who was killed by a five metre great white shark two weeks ago.

About 100 friends and family have paddled out to sea to pay tribute to surfer Ben Linden, who was killed by a great white shark off Western Australia's southwest coast two weeks ago.

Mr Linden, 24, was surfing with a mate about 4km south of Wedge Island, about 160km north of Perth, when he was attacked by the five metre shark on the morning of July 14.

Surfers in the area had noticed a large great white shark lurking in the area for about four days prior to Mr Linden's death, nicknaming the beast "Brutus" due its size.

Mr Linden was the fifth person killed by a shark off WA's southwest coast in 10 months, prompting calls by the state government to remove great whites from the protected species list.

The surfer's remains were never found.

On Sunday, more than 200 friends, family and fellow surfers gathered at Brighton Beach in Perth to write messages and sign a surfboard dedicated to Mr Linden, before about 100 of them paddled offshore with the board to form a circle in his memory and cast flowers into the ocean.

Mr Linden's long-term girlfriend Alana Noakes spoke to the crowd as sister Kelli blew a conch shell and read a poem, while a bag-pipe player blew a rendition of Waltzing Matilda.

Cabinet-maker Mr Linden was a singer and bassist in Perth band Fools Rush In, which featured on radio triple J's national unearthed segment.

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