In a powerful and poignant display of communal grief and solidarity, hundreds of surfers, paddle boarders, and swimmers returned to the waters of Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach to honour those affected by last Sunday's devastating mass shooting.
A Sea of Remembrance
On Friday morning, just days after the tragedy and only a few hundred metres from the scene, the ocean off Bondi became a site of solemn tribute. Participants paddled and swam out to form a vast, silent circle on the gentle waves, remembered the 15 lives lost, and paid their respects to the survivors and emergency service personnel.
Drone footage captured the scale of the gathering, showing a huge ring of people resting together in the water. The event, known as a 'paddle-out', is a cherished tradition in surf culture for honouring the departed. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, described the scene to the ABC as "just beautiful" and noted he had never seen a paddle-out of such size.
An Outpouring of National Support
The moving aquatic ceremony is the latest expression of a national wave of grief and support following the attack at Hanukkah celebrations. The forensic police examination of the park and bridge where the massacre occurred has concluded, and the areas, along with the beach itself, have now reopened to the public.
The community's response has extended far beyond the shoreline. GoFundMe confirmed that more than $5 million has been raised across various verified fundraisers for victims, with over 70,000 donations pouring in from more than 60 countries. This includes a remarkable $2.5 million for Ahmed al-Ahmed, hailed as a hero for wrestling a firearm from one of the attackers before being shot twice in the arm.
In a social media video, al-Ahmed, upon receiving the funds, humbly questioned, "I deserve it?" and urged global unity, saying people should "stand with each other, all human beings and forget everything bad ... keep going to save lives."
Sustained Solidarity for the Injured
The support has also focused on the first responders injured in the line of duty. Appeals set up by the Police Association of NSW for two wounded officers, one of whom may permanently lose his vision, have raised nearly $750,000.
Furthermore, in a record-breaking show of support for the injured, the public has answered Lifeblood's call for donations. More than 25,000 blood donations have been made since the attack, with approximately 90,000 appointments booked across Australia.
This collective response, from the silent circle in the sea to the flood of financial and physical donations, underscores a community and a nation determined to stand together in the face of senseless violence.
