Khai Cowley Farewelled By Friends
Teenager Khai Cowley has been remembered as someone who spread kindness to those around him, as family and friends pay tribute almost one month after his death.
The fifteen-year-old died after being attacked by a shark on December 28th at Ethel Beach, Yorke Peninsula.
Today, a service for Khai was held at Seaford where members from Adelaide's surfing and sporting communities wore club colours to show their support. Speaking at the funeral, Khai's father Tim Cowley said his son filled peoples lives with "so many beautiful memories".
"It's so cruel that you've been taken from us at such a young age," he said. "I'm trying to take some peace in knowing how much you achieved in the fifteen years that you were here, and how you spent those fifteen years spreading kindness to all those around you.
Khai's family and friends gathered for a service held on the beach in Seaford (Photo: ABC News // Marco Catalano)
"We don't know where we go when we die, but I pray that one day I'll get to see you again.
"If you can take something from Khai's passing, live like Khai, truly love with all your heart, don't waste a moment, don't sweat the small stuff and laugh with your mates.
"We love you mate, forever and ever."
Tim Cowley speaking at the funeral next to his wife Kate and son Jett (Photo: ABC News // Marco Catalano)
Mr Cowley described Khai as an "adventurous, outdoors kid", who loved getting involved in sport.
"From basketball to soccer to footy to skateboarding to bike riding, whatever it was it didn't matter because it was all about hanging with the boys that he was doing it with," he said. "But of course, predominantly the sport that he absolutely loved was surfing.
"He loved the water from before he could walk."
Mr Cowley said Khai's love for surfing started when he was about seven-years old, when he joined the Micro Groms Junior Surf Club.
"Before we knew it, all of our weekends were taken up with chasing waves," he said. "He then joined Seaview Road Boardriders when he was around ten, where he started competing in senior competitions.
"As he progressed, he started competing in state titles and other numerous competitions around the state, even getting the opportunity to represent his school at the Australian Junior Surf Titles in 2022."
Khai Cowley (Photo: Instagram)
Mr Cowley said during Khai's time spent surfing he had made "unbelievable friendships", many of whom were present at the funeral.
"He spent so much time surfing this break behind me that we call the Bowl," Mr Cowley said. "Him and all his mates would spend hours and hours out there, from sunrise right 'til dark, rain, hail or shine — these little grommets would absolutely be frothing on anything."
Mr Cowley said it was the surf trips he took with his son that he cherished the most, as he recalled siting on the beach and watching his "beautiful boy do what he loved".
"It was the time we spent driving there together in the car, the time we spent surfing out together in the water and the time we'd call into the bakery and have lunch together and talk about our waves — this is something I'll truly miss," he said.
He said even more than his love for surfing was his love for his family, especially his younger brother Jett.
"Khai absolutely loved you mate," Mr Cowley said speaking to his youngest son. "Whether it was play fighting with you, jumping on the trampoline, helping you get waves or just laughing together at dumb stuff on his phone, I know you meant the world to him.
"I hope you never forget these special times."
Jett Cowley described Khai as the "best big brother ever".
"I love him so much," he said. "I'm really gonna miss hanging out with him and teaching me cool stuff."
At the end of the service, attendees were invited to sprinkle sand collected from 41 surf locations across the state into the ocean, before they formed a guard of honour.
The Seaview Road Boardriders will hold a paddle-out event on Saturday at the Bowl at Seaford.
© Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved.
Comments
May your boy live in the heart of his loved ones eternally.
RIP Khai
RIP young man.
Unspeakably sad and sorry, ride on Khai
rip, Khai -
live forever, in hearts and memories
God that hurts reading this. RIP young fella, hoping you score some waves up there with your old man again one day.
i hope that the family find some solace, rip young fella.
RIP little legend..unimaginable heartbreak for the family/friends..
Gave me goosebumps reading this. RIP young fella. Gone way too soon.
RIP young man. So incredibly tragic.
RIP Heart felt condolences to the family
This is sadly the worst case scenario for a parent. Rip grom, and God bless the boys family.
Tears welled up watching that. So sad.
Give your loved ones a big hug, especially your kids. Cannot imagine the grief.
RIP.
Such a hard loss for the Cowley family and friends to bear . . . a gift taken away too soon.
RIP Khai.
“It is not death that a man should fear, but rather he should fear never beginning to live.”
― Marcus Aurelius
Shouldn't make such a tragic situation about myself...however it's hard to read that and wonder how I'd cope. With his heart crushed I just couldn't fathom being able to speak in front of a crowd the way Tim Cowley did.
RIP young Khai.
And more strength to you Tim and Kate Cowley. May you find solace somewhere down the track.
So sad and tragic but what a beautiful funeral and send off.
Rest In Peace Khai.
Amidst the grief and tragedy of a young life lost, it was a beautiful gesture by his parents to conduct the funeral service at the beach.
Such a fitting farewell: may his parents, family and friends take comfort from that.
RIP young man.
Such an utterly tragic event, it's difficult to comprehend. RIP Khai.
RIP Khai. I can't imagine being one of the remaining family members - One Love to all...and thanks for your beautiful words Tim, I cried reading that.
A beautiful tribute and a very fitting send off for a lovely young fella. RIP Khai. Condolences and strength to his family, friends and all that knew him.
That was hard to watch, beautiful conditions for his last day on the beach.
Like Stu said above, not about me, but kind of avoided reading this for a couple of days, my own reasons.
God that hurt reading that. RIP young fella. Sounds like such a wonderful boy.
Sincere condolences to his family and friends. Particularly his Mum and Dad and his little brother Jett.
Beautiful send off.
Nice to read such compassion for our fellow Humans and their suffering.
Condolences to family and friends. RIP Khai.
RIP Khai. Sincere condolences to family and friends.
RIP in Peace Khai. Another surfer attacked. How much more tragedy do surfers have to endure before the solution to the problem is addressed. I'm just waiting for a politician's son or daughter to be taken by a great white and see what the reaction is. If they can ban firearms then they can cull sharks. Never had this problem in the 60's and 70's when lobster fisherman carried 308's on board to cull sharks in their kids surfing coastline.
Revelation 6:8
“And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”
That beach photo..with the casket..and boards...and all his mates and family....
.....knowing that beach, having competed there as a grom, knowing many from that place......is one of the most heartbreaking pics i've ever seen. Brings home the reality of it all. Truly breaks my heart.
Not much else to add to above. Just a huge amount of love to all affected.
Those memories his dad shared were so heartfelt and beautiful.
Rest in peace, Khai. You truly did live life, you are an inspiration. Condolences and much appreciation and love to the Cowley family and their community.
So heavy - what a beautiful, brave service though to honour young Khai. Rest In Peace.
The greatest fear of any parent. Just leaves your heart broken open.
Hoping the family feels all the love flowing towards them from the complete strangers here.
RIP Khai. The paddle out memorial was huge . So much respect. Deepest condolences to The family and friends- You will be deeply missed. My heart breaks for you all. Robert and Cheryl
Very sad.
How about a rebate on shark devices for groms (or everyone that needs one)? How about some underwater shark deterrent housings at obviously sharky places? Rather than revenge and culling there must be an easy technological fix to these situations?? Sure, wont stop every attack but may bring some peace of mind? Can't imagine how that father mustve felt/still feels.