A NSW musician who drowned in a surfing accident in Bali has been described by his sister as a "free spirit", according to an online post.
Jae Haydon, from Woonona near Wollongong, was surfing at Padang Padang Beach, one of Bali's most famous surf spots, on Monday morning (Indonesian time) when he was reportedly knocked off his board by a wave.
Friends became increasingly alarmed after a broken surfboard identical to the 35-year-old's later washed up at the nearby Uluwatu beach.
Indonesian authorities confirmed Badung lifeguards found a body floating in the water on Monday night, News Corp Australia reported.
Family and friends have since flooded social media with posts expressing their shock and sadness.
"To our free spirit Jae, who roamed the world and lived the life we all dreamed of, who brought incredible joy to loads of people in this world, lost his life in Uluwatu, Bali, yesterday," a statement on a GoFundMe page signed by two people identifying themselves as Mr Haydon's sister and mother said.
Another friend Brooke Wood posted on Tuesday: "So gutted to find out that the missing surfer was you, but you lived one of the best lives imaginable brother".
Another friend posted from Canada to the musician: "RIP Jae Haydon... Keep on jammin' up there, bud, and you'll be flying the slopes and waves like the legend you are."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed on Tuesday it was providing assistance to "the family of an Australian man in Bali".
The GoFundMe page was created to raise up to $30,000 to help pay for the cost of bringing his body home, according to the website.
