Big Wave Surfer Nic von Rupp Honors Surf Fanatic Jimmy Buffett

Jimmy Buffett, the musician behind "Margaritaville," passed away on September 1.

He loved surfing, and over the years he formed friendships and other connections within the surf community.

Yesterday, Nazaré regular Nic von Rupp joined Kelly Slater in saying goodbye to Buffet with a touching message on social media.

In von Rupp's post above, the musician and the surfer are on a jet ski together at Nazaré.

"Welcome to the Jimmy Buffet Nazaré show," von Rupp says to the camera.

Buffett, who's smiling ear to ear and throwing shaka, says:

"The magic show is about to begin, I'm excited. I'm at the temple, the temple of the wave."

In his caption, von Rupp recalled the details of that day:

"Rest in Peace @jimmybuffett . What a true honor to have met you. Kind, humble, generous, since day 1 I’ve always kept a warm place in my heart for you, a true human example of what life is all about. I remember very vividly your passion for surfing and Nazaré, how you came all the way from the US to have lunch with us and paddle around the Nazaré Temple.

"I told you you were my dad's favourite band, you instantly told me to stop the car, you walked out to the closest street musician, gave him 50€ and asked if you could play a song. Jimmy ended up playing Margaritaville in the middle of Nazaré, with a bunch of people walking by, dedicating it to my dad Roman. A truly beautiful moment that I will never forget.

"Later that night I got a bunch of messages including Kelly Slater and Will Skudin saying they put Jimmy side by side with God. That was exactly how I felt about him. You will be greatly missed my friend 🫶"

Pro surfers, including Slater, commented on the post:

Slater wrote: "So awesome all the places he went and people he met and touched. Thanks for sharing. 🥲"

CJ Hobgood said: "Thanks for sharing that was awesome!!!"

Strider Wasilewski commented: "So cool, what a guy he was 🙌"

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