- The 11-time world champion passed on his condolences
Surfing legend Kelly Slater has revealed his link to Mercury Psillakis, the man from Sydney’s northern beaches who was killed by a shark on September 6.
Slater – an 11-time world champion – told his Instagram followers of his previous tie to the married father of one.
‘Fun fact, Mercury sanded my favourite board from @simonanderson_surfboards. 6’1-18’1/4-2’¼. Edges count’,’ he said on Instagram.
‘Been in shock for the past week about Mercury and another tragic shark incident.
‘My condolences to the huge group of friends who have grown up with him and are mourning his passing.’
Psillakis, 57, is believed to have lost both his legs before his body was brought to shore by surfers at Dee Why beach just after 10am last Saturday.
Surfing legend Kelly Slater has revealed his link to Mercury Psillakis, the man from Sydney’s northern beaches who was killed by a shark on September 6
Slater – an 11-time world champion – told his 3.3 million Instagram followers his previous tie to the married, father of one (pictured) before offering his condolences
Former pro-surfer Toby Martin said the 57-year-old (pictured, with his family) was heroic in his final moments as he tried to keep the surfers he was with safe after they saw the shark
‘He was retrieved from the surf and brought to the shore; however, he died at the scene,’ NSW Police said in a statement.
Psillakis, a twin, was an experienced surfer and reportedly only in the water for 30 minutes before the fatal attack.
His heartbroken twin brother Mike – a renowned surfboard shaper at Psillakis Surfboards in nearby Brookvale – paid his respects in a moving Instagram tribute.
‘This is the hardest moment of my life… Mercury was my mirror, my blood, my DNA,’ he posted.
‘We share the same soul…words cannot describe the bond we had together growing up. We had our own language and shared the same dreams, literally.
‘Tell your loved ones that you love them. Hold them tight.’
Psillakis’ close friend and former pro-surfer Toby Martin said the 57-year-old was heroic in his final moments and tried to keep the pack of surfers he was with safe after they spotted the shark.
‘He was at the back of the pack still trying to get everyone together when the shark just lined him up,’ he said.
‘It’s the worst-case scenario. They normally come from the side but this one came straight from behind, breached and dropped on him. It was so quick.’
Following the attack, helicopters, lifeguards and police boats searched the sea for hours in a bid to locate the shark.
Sydney’s last fatal shark attack occurred in 2022, when a diver was killed at Little Bay.
