Bay Area surfer killed in Ocean Beach identified, died doing what he ‘loved to do most’

A surfer killed in rough waters at San Francisco’s Ocean beach during unseasonably large waves this week has been identified.

Sandro Ricardo Britz, 55, of San Francisco, is being mourned by the local surfing community, and remembered by friends and loved ones after his day on the waters turned deadly.

“I can’t believe we talked on Tuesday and you left without warning, but doing what you loved to do most, going down your last wave, rest in peace,” one friend wrote on Facebook, sharing a picture of his pal.

“See you soon on the other side brother!! LIGHT IN THE ROOM!!”

“Oh, my surf buddy.  I’m not prepared for this,” another person shared on Britz’s page.

“I missed you guys by minutes.  Was hoping those trucks weren’t for either of you.  Godspeed and good waves.”

“I love you forever German, Sandro Britz,” a third shared.

The San Francisco Fire Department responded to a call of a surfer in distress at the beach near Lincoln Thursday, a post on Facebook from the department read.

While crews were enroute several on and off-duty lifeguards spotted Britz on his board signaling that he was in trouble and needed help.

The group swam out to the surfer and located the Britz who they said was face down “unconscious, and not breathing.”

CPR and life-saving measures were immediately done on Britz while bringing him back to the shoreline.  After they arrived, paramedics and emergency crews showed up to continue providing life support care to him.

The surfer was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, but Britz later was pronounced dead. 

A series of videos and pictures posted on social media by the department showed all the rescue efforts that were done.

The National Park Service told The Post that the “incident remains under investigation.” There was no other information provided. 

The Post reached out to the SF Fire Department for further comment.

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