Friends and family of a local surfer found dead at a popular North County surf spot laid flowers and notes at the step leading to the beach Tuesday, in shock at the loss of a dear friend.
The makeshift memorial at Swami's State Beach in Encinitas sits next to a memorial for fellow surfer Kenneth "Kenny" A. Mann, a 61-year-old Encinitas resident. His body was found Friday morning near the shoreline located at 1298 South Coast Highway 101, approximately 26 miles north of downtown San Diego.
In just three days, two people have died at Swami's after surfing in the water.
Close friends mourning at the memorial identified the second surfer as Joy Froding. Friends said the 57-year-old rode her bike to Swami's every day to catch a wave and was one of the kindest people they knew.
"She always had a kind word," said a close friend who identified himself as 'Birdman'. "She was one of the happiest people I ever had known in my life."
Many friends came to lay down flowers, notes and cards at the makeshift memorial, describing the positive and uplifting person she was.
"I love her, what can I say," said Linda Messing, a close friend. "That says it all. She was, she was a great person and I loved her."
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Joy's boyfriend Mark worked with Kenny and the two surfers were friends.
One surfer at the memorial said he was with Joy when she took her last breath and said she had been having some pain in her upper body. She slumped over on her board right as she began to paddle out to catch another wave, the surfer said.
Officials said Joy died of heart problems, though an official cause of death will be determined by the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office. Friends tried CPR when she was brought back to shore and paramedics tried to revive her. She was pronounced dead Monday.
