Surfers pay tribute to Steve Irwin

National Nine News (Australia) ^ | 10 Sept 2006 | Staff

[Kitten Festival]

Hundreds of surfers have paid a special tribute to Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin at a memorial service on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

The 44-year-old, died last Monday after he was pierced in the heart by a stingray's barb while filming a documentary off the far north Queensland coast.

The self-proclaimed wildlife warrior was an enthusiastic surfer and a tribute was held on Sunday at Alexandra Headlands beach.

About 250 surfers formed a huge circle off the beach to remember Irwin. Floral tributes were placed in the water.

Staff from the Irwin family's Australia Zoo took part in the commemoration held during the Juniper Surf classic being staged at Alexandra Headlands in support of cancer charity Camp Quality.

A public memorial service is planned for Mr Irwin, possibly at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium within the next two weeks.

A private funeral for the environmentalist and media personality is believed to have been held over the weekend.

The family declined offers from the federal and state government of a state funeral, with Mr Irwin's father Robert saying his son was an "ordinary bloke".

[TexasTransplant]

Bump and dittos

[HairOfTheDog]

The one that actually made me cry was the one that said "He made me feel beautiful".

[A knight without armor]

These cartoons are wonderful. The one with the stingray is so poignant. Ohhhhhhh. Don't cry. It's ok little fella. Nobody blames you and certainly not Steve.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

I understand what you mean...I hadn't watched his show in years since I dropped cable, but his death affected me deeply. He was a good guy, and we need good guys like him to show the world that good guys have good things to share with the world, and make it a better place to be.

I will miss his enthusiasm, and love of nature, and joy of sharing. May he rest in peace, and his family find solace.

[Hoodlum91]

There was one on another thread with Bindi and Bob in HUGE shoes and Steve walking away. That got me.

[HairOfTheDog]

Saw it... me too.

[TexasTransplant]

>>>>"The guy had a sense of humor, and wasn't afraid to be seen doing things that most people would wet themselves trying. Heck, he was good at it, too, or he wouldn't have lasted as long as he did"<<<<<

Actually more than that, there was a show that he did with a Gorilla rescue outfit, the handler brought him in with the Silver-back and he (Steve) was immediately adopted. The handler had been working with the Gorillas for years was astounded.
He knew his stuff.

TT

[cmsgop]

I got tears off of that one, gosh thats sad.......

[WV Mountain Mama]

I watched it too, I cried several times. Steve was just magical and the look in Terri's eyes evertime she looked at Steve broke my heart.

[cyborg]

Oh you mean like Germaine Greer???

[ThreePuttinDude]

It tears me up every time I see it.

[cyborg]

I like that one.

[WV Mountain Mama]

I loved the one that had his big boots and little Bindi and Bob were each in one. They were so tiny in the boots and you see Steve walking away from them sayin, "don't worry, you'll grow into 'em."

Does anyone have that one to put up?

[cyborg]

That's my favorite too!

[ThreePuttinDude]

My granddaughter is 5, and she asked us if the animals he
played with will see him in Heaven, I had to leave the
room, in our family kids don't see Grandpa cry.

Sorry, its a family thing.

[cyborg]

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

[VanDeKoik]

Geeze!

Now Im starting to tear up.

[Moonmad27]

RE #13 - please pass the Kleenex!

[ThreePuttinDude]

Here ya' go. sniff sniff

[ThreePuttinDude]

Thats the one that does me in, dang I'm a softee