The Sunshine Coast surf lifesaving community is mourning the loss of a passionate young lifesaver who died after disappearing off Buddina Beach earlier this week.
Joe Tolano, 18, went missing on Wednesday afternoon shortly before a scheduled surf club training session after coming off his surfboard while in the water with friends.
A large-scale search operation involving police, surf lifesavers and emergency services continued through the night and over the following days before Mr Tolano was located deceased about 6pm on Friday.
Via a statement issued on Saturday, by Surf Life Saving Queensland, his family have paid tribute to the “beautiful” young man who had grown up in the surf lifesaving movement and loved the ocean.
“We have lost our beautiful son, bother, nephew, grandson, cousin and friend,” they said.
“Joe was a child of the ocean and he absolutely loved nippers. His body was small but his heart huge. He was chasing his dream of being an Ironman.
“We have lost him doing what he loved surrounded by some of his best mates, and that fact helps us carry this unimaginable pain.”
Help us deliver more news by registering for our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your email at the bottom of this article.
The family said they had been overwhelmed by the support shown by friends, family and the wider surf lifesaving community.
“We feel grateful for the love and support that has been wrapped around us by our friends, family and the surf clubs in which Joe grew up.
“We are sincerely appreciative of the efforts of SLSQ, emergency services and volunteers who have made it possible to have him back with us.”
On Friday evening, police confirmed a report will be prepared for the coroner following the discovery.
Surf Life Saving Queensland chief operating officer Greg Cahill said the loss had deeply affected surf lifesavers across the region and the state.
“Our surf life saving community is incredibly close-knit, particularly within our surf sport ranks. Joe was a passionate and dedicated young lifesaver who was well known and respected by his club peers, teammates and competitors,” Mr Cahill said.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for our clubs on the Sunshine Coast and for surf lifesavers right across Queensland. On behalf of Surf Life Saving Queensland, I extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Joe’s family and friends during this devastating time.”
Mr Cahill said Surf Life Saving Queensland was providing ongoing welfare and peer support to members and volunteers involved in the search and to affected clubs.
Tributes have also flowed from Mr Tolano’s clubs on the Sunshine Coast.
Met Caloundra Surf Life Saving Club president Brett Magnussen said members were devastated by the loss of one of their young lifesavers.
“Joe was a valued and much-loved member of our Met Caloundra family. After many years at Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club, he joined Met Caloundra last year and quickly became a big part of our club community,” Mr Magnussen said.
“He was a passionate young lifesaver, who loved patrolling the beach and keeping people safe. He brought great energy to training and competition, and he was incredibly well regarded not just within our club, but across the Sunshine Coast surf lifesaving community.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for our members, particularly the young people who trained and competed alongside Joe. Our entire club is heartbroken, and our thoughts are firmly with Joe’s family and friends.”
He also thanked the many volunteers and agencies who assisted with the search effort.
“Right now, our focus is on supporting his family, our members and each other as we come to terms with this tragic loss.”
Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club president Johnny Gooderham said Joe had been part of the club community since he was a young nipper.
“Joe and his family have been a big part of our club for many years and continue to be involved. Our entire club is heartbroken, and we’re all devastated by this loss,” Mr Gooderham said.
The extensive search operation was led by Queensland Police with support from PolAir, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Coastguard LifeFlight and large numbers of surf lifesavers and lifeguards.
Resources included drone operations, IRBs and jet skis, with volunteers and emergency services searching the coastline between Mooloolaba and Point Cartwright.
Surf Life Saving Queensland also thanked the hundreds of volunteers and partner agencies who assisted during the operation and said support services would remain available for members impacted by the tragedy.
