A local business owner is honoring a surfer who dedicated his life to helping others.
A report said rip currents were strong when Devan Kennedy, 28, went for a surf off Punta Miramar, in Nicaragua, nearly two years ago, and he was killed.
Days later, his girlfriend learned she was pregnant with his child.
“He was one of the most happy people, and I think inspirational to a lot of people in the community here,” said Cory Lewis.
It has been nearly two years since Lewis lost her boyfriend.
This isn’t just any surfboard. It has special meaning.
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) August 7, 2018
— How a local surfer who died nearly two years ago in Nicaragua is being honored at 5 on @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/dSOlHiCOme
She said he was in Nicaragua training surfers when he was found facedown in the water.
After the incident, Lewis found out she was pregnant, and Airlie Kennedy was born eight months later.
“A lot of times when she’s doing something that’s very radical on the third or fourth time, I’m like 'Oh, Devan,'” said Lewis.
But now she’s getting to know the dad she never knew.
“He will live on forever in a surfboard model, which is probably the greatest thing that could’ve ever happened to him,” said Todd Kirshenbaum, owner at Dragon Factory.
Kirshenbaum said he met Kennedy after his son almost died in a surfing accident at the Jacksonville Beach pier in 2015.
He said Kennedy was instrumental in his son’s recovery.
“It was someone like Devan, who he didn’t even know, who gave him his time, his heart, motivated him and helped him get back out to the water,” said Kirshenbaum.
Kirshenbaum said not only did Kennedy have a passion to surf and help others, but he wanted to make surfboards.
“He loved surfing so much. He wanted to be a surfboard shaper,” said Kirshenbaum.
Kennedy’s first surfboard he made, Kirshenbaum said he called it magic.
It’s been nearly two years since a local surfer, Devan Kennedy, died in Nicaragua. Days after his death, his girlfriend learned she was pregnant with his child.
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) August 7, 2018
How a local surf shop owner is creating memories for his daughter at 5:55 on @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/GOPUI1GgUe
And now he wants others to experience that magic.
The DEV Surfboard was finished at Dragon Factory and will be put into production with half of the sales given to Kennedy’s little girl.
“It’s almost like you’re looking at Devan when you see her; Airlie,” he said.
“While we are out surfing and everyone is talking and thinking about Devan, we can basically hold him and he can be with us in a physical as well as spiritual way,” Lewis said.
The DEV model release will be celebrated on Saturday, Aug. 11, from 6 - 9 p.m. at the Dragon Factory, in Jacksonville Beach.
The event will include food, beverages, art and more.
The DEV Surfboard will be available for preorder and anytime after the release.
Half of the profit from sales of The DEV board, during the lifetime of the board’s production, will be donated to Airlie Jane Kennedy.
Cox Media Group
