The brother of a surfer who tragically lost his life in a shark attack has spoken about the poignant moment he felt was his brother’s last gift to him.
Mike Psillakis from Sydney went back into the ocean at Dee Why Beach just days after his twin, Mercury, was attacked by a shark thought to be around 20ft long, in a show of bravery and to honor his brother.
Mercury was killed on September 7 while surfing approximately 300 feet off Long Reef Beach when the shark struck.
Following a paddle-out ceremony with friends on Thursday (September 18), Mike shared his reflections on the emotional experience.
He posted on social media: “Was good to get the monkey off my back this morning with some of my close friends and a few other special friends from other beaches on the peninsula.
“My first wave was undoubtedly gifted to me from my brother Mercury. It was a freak wave in substandard conditions.”
The past week had been extremely difficult for Mike, who spoke about the anguish of saying a final goodbye to his twin.
He added: “Yesterday was hard. Laying my brother down for his last eternal wave, but in the midst of the pain, down at Dee Why Beach, I knew he was playing with the dolphins.”
Mike shared screenshots of previous text exchanges that demonstrated their close bond, especially regarding their shared love of surfing.
In one conversation about Curl Curl Beach, Mike texted: “Drove past Curly. Looks like a wave.” Mercury soon replied: “What’s Curly like.”
Mike marveled: “Wow. I sent your answer before you sent the question.”
He described the exchange as “just another telepathic message” between them.
Mike further reflected: “I take solace in knowing that when Merc died, a part of me died with him. But more importantly a part of him lives through me, helping me to carry his flame as long as I live.”
Meanwhile, disturbing new details have come to light regarding Mercury’s final moments. Witnesses say the seasoned surfer was alerting others about the danger before the attack occurred.
Former professional surfer Toby Martin told the Daily Telegraph: “He was at the back of the pack still trying to get everyone together when the shark just lined him up. It came straight from behind and breached and dropped straight on him. It’s the worst-case scenario.”
The incident happened so swiftly that escape was impossible – Mercury was dragged underwater and his surfboard was destroyed.
His remains were eventually recovered on the shore. Two lifeguards brought what was left of him onto the sand, but his injuries were so severe that resuscitation was not possible.
A GoFundMe page has been established to provide support for Mercury’s wife and children.