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".

[Kitten Festival]

I find it significant that anyone who worked outdoors or with animals or sports had a great appreciation for the wonderful work and expansive, bighearted personality of Steve Irwin.

Pathetic intellectuals and pinched little would-be literati and cognoscenti are the ones who had a problem with Irwin.

[To Hell With Poverty]

I'm tearing up again, thanks! ;)

[EricT.]

Just finished watching the Crocodile Hunter Marathon on Animal Planet. I hope they keep showing reruns of his program. Every episode is chock full of adventure.

[dirtboy]

Pathetic intellectuals and pinched little would-be literati and cognoscenti are the ones who had a problem with Irwin.

Yep, urban environmentalists who never did jack for wildlife in their lives.

[Rte66]

Good on 'em - the surfers and the family members who joined in with them. Steve Irwin was a good man.

[TexasTransplant]

Crikey! "Every episode is chock full of adventure!"

(There, I fixed it)

His energy, enthusiasm and dedication are missed already and may be for a long time.

Children (young and old) have been moved by our favorite "Croc Hunter" and we mourn his passing.

I hope that when I pass on that I go while I am doing what I love to do.

TT

[cmsgop]

[Old Student]

"Yep, urban environmentalists who never did jack for wildlife in their lives."

How heartless and unfeeling you are! Bunny-huggers of the world are deeply wounded! Those poor crocodiles! The innocent stingrays!

Actually, I think you're absolutely right. I think Steve Irwin made a serious mistake there, but it's one anyone could have made, in the same circumstances. It's also pretty obvious that he put his money where his mouth was, to the tune of millions of dollars, where conservation and education is concerned. I don't have cable, so I've not been able to watch his shows very often, but the few times I have they were interesting and educational. 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.

[ThreePuttinDude]

[ThreePuttinDude]

[ThreePuttinDude]

Every episode is chock full of adventure.

[ThreePuttinDude]

[ThreePuttinDude]

[ThreePuttinDude]

[ThreePuttinDude]

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[ThreePuttinDude]

[July 4th]

Ping to these cartoons.

[Hoodlum91]

You know - I've seen so many touching cartoons celebrating Steve and mourning his death, but as touching as they all are, this one is probably the closest to reality!