With the coronavirus lockdown slowly easing off in California and beaches starting to open, many whose lives revolve around the waters excitedly hit the waves to surf.

Among these is Santa Cruz local, Ben Kelly. Unfortunately, his exciting venture onto the waves turns into tragedy as he has fallen victim to a shark attack, a first in the area since 2004.

According to officials, the 26-year-old went surfing on the waters off Manresa State Beach on Saturday afternoon. After the shark attack, he was brought back to the beach. But unfortunately, he died after a short while due to his injuries.

He was the first fatal shark attack victim in Northern California since another incident near Kibesillah Rock in Mendocino County, where a shark onslaught and killed an abalone diver back in 2004.

At about 1:30 P.M. on Saturday, personnel from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff got a call from the state park beach, about a mile south of the main parking lot. In a news release, the State Parks released a statement saying that a man, later identified as Ben Kelly, had been attacked by an unknown shark species.

Due to the shark attack scare and following State Parks protocol, Manresa State Beach, a mile south and north of where the surfer suffered the attack, will be closed for five days and will reopen on Thursday.

A video recording taken by a drone showed a school of sharks visible in the area about five miles from Saturday's attack. The video recorded on April 30 by Raymond Silver estimated the sharks to be at least 8 to 12 feet in length.

Beloved Surfer in Santa Cruz

Twenty-six-year-old surfer, Ben Kelly, was well-known in the Santa Cruz surfing community. He was married to another avid surfer, named Katie. Together, they ran a local business selling handcrafted boards. His friends describe him as 'one of a kind'.

Tributes to the beloved wave-rider came pouring on his Ben Kelly Surfboards Instagram page on Sunday morning as the close-knit surfing community received the news about his tragic passing.

A friend, who goes by chejordan28, playfully commented on his page how they always used to talk about leaving the Earth going big. He said that Kelly has now reached "legend status" by being attacked by a shark and making national news. He added that as surfers, they were aware that every time they set foot on the water, it could be the last time they ever set foot on land again.

Many others commented on how he had the "aloha spirit" and how he was one of the "good ones." Prayers and condolences were sent to his family and praises of how he was a help to many when he was alive.

Shark Attacks in Northern California

Despite the Northern California coast being a significant breeding ground for the great white shark, fatal shark attacks are not likely to happen in the area. So far, only two cases involving divers have been recorded since 1984.

Authorities in the area said that there was an incidence of a narrow escape from a shark back in March. Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office says that a paddle boarder was surfing in the water near 38th Avenue in March when a shark bit his surfboard, barely missing him.

The first incident of a deadly shark attack occurred on September 15, 1985. Omar Conger, a 28-year-old diver, was attacked at Pigeon Point while diving with a friend.

Officials said that Conger was attacked from behind and pulled underwater. His friend was able to pull him to shore, but he died a short time later. They found out later on that the shark involved in the attack was a 15-16 foot great white shark.

The second shark attack happened on August 15, 2004, when 50-year-old Randy Fry was slain by a shark while diving for abalone near Kibesillah Rock in Mendocino County. He, too, was diving with a friend at the time.

His friend helplessly watched as the area surrounding him suddenly turned red with blood after hearing a 'whooshing noise.' Fry's body was found three days later, distinguished by his diving suit, which bore his name. Authorities said that a 17-foot great white shark had attacked him.