Memorial paddle out held for former pro surfer Chris “Brownie” Brown

An estimated 1,400 people paddled out in memory of former pro surfer Chris “Brownie” Brown on Saturday.

Friends and family held the event at Sandspit, one of Brown’s favorite places.

The paddle out took place following a memorial at Calvary Chapel where 11-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater spoke at the service. Slater recalled being inseparable from “Brownie” when they were teens.

Brown,48, drown following a fall from a cliff at Hendry’s Beach on January 19.. Santa Barbara police said his injuries made him unable to move out of the surf. Toxicology reports stated he was under the influence of methamphetamine.

J North Productions used a drone to capture the paddle out and posted the following video on vimeo; https://vimeo.com/317761750/bbbe5669d0

Surfers said Brown’s father, wife and daughter spread his ashes in the ocean as a rainbow broke through the clouds in Santa Barbara. They encouraged people to “Smile like Brownie.”

Brown’s daughter is studying medicine. To help support her education friends have set up a GoFundMe.

For donation information visit, https://www.gofundme.com/fundraiser-for-chris-browns-daughter-chloe