Olympian Pita Taufatofua honors Jackson James Rice after his death

Tongan Olympian Pita Taufatofua speaks out after the death of the 18-year-old kitefoil racer Jackson James Rice.

“It is with sadness that I share the passing of @jj__rice, our future Olympic hopeful kitesurfer from Haapai, Tonga,” Taufatofua, 40, wrote via Instagram on Monday, June 17, alongside photos of the late Rice riding on the water. “The first time I met JJ, he was working at his Matafonua resort, tinkering under a van covered in motor oil.”

Taufatofua described Rice as “a kid who reminded me of my childhood growing up,” adding, “There are very few mechanics on the islands and so he would help his father.” In between helping out at the resort, he was doing what he loved: kitesurfing in the oceans of Haapai.”

He continued: “Self-taught as a child, he reached a level where he would compete in the recent Olympic qualifiers on his quest to one day represent Tonga at the Olympic Games.”

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Taufatofua, who represented Tonga at the Olympic Games in 2016, 2018 and 2020, noted that Rice had “great respect for the sea and for all the people on our little Motu,” adding: “JJ left this world and did just what he loved. a place he loved: the ocean.”

He concluded: “From all of us in the Kingdom of Tonga, we remain inspired by the dedication and love of you and your families for the islands and our beautiful oceans. May you continue to ride the waves of heaven on your next great adventure! Ofa atu 🇹🇴.”

Rice died in a diving accident on Saturday, June 15, weeks before making his kitefoil racing debut at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. His father, Darrentold Matangi Tonga News that Jackson was freediving from a boat in Faleloa, Ha’apai, when he experienced what was likely a blackout in shallow water.

A medical emergency occurs when a diver loses consciousness due to lack of oxygen in shallow water. An official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

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According to Matangi Tonga News, Rice was discovered by other divers on the seabed beneath the boat at around 12.15pm. The teenager died after failed resuscitation attempts.

Jackson’s sister, Lily, took to Facebook on Sunday, June 16, to pay tribute to her late brother. “I was blessed with the most wonderful brother in the world and it saddens me to say that he has passed away,” she wrote. “He was a great kite foiler and he would have made it to the Olympics and come out with a big shiny medal… he made so many great friends all over the world.”