Surfer Martin ‘Mantega’ Cirko Dies While Chasing ‘Vida Boa’ in Portugal
Tragic news out of Portugal as a surfer found himself in a difficult situation amidst strong currents and heavy waves, resulting in his death by drowning.
It happened on February 23rd at Praia do Canal, in Aljezur, Portugal; the victim, Martin “Mantega” Cirko, was 39 years old.
Mantega, who was of German descent yet grew up in Brazil, has been surfing with a friend when the incident occurred. He went missing for a few minutes, according to local reports. The friend pulled Mantega from the water, and he was pronounced dead.
Speaking with SURFER, Mantega’s brother-in-law explained:
“He was surfing with a friend when he encountered difficulties in the water and was pulled out by his friend. Despite resuscitation efforts by his friend and another surfer, he was pronounced dead at the scene. He died while surfing, he died while doing what he loved the most in a beautiful place.”
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His wife, Sophia, said:
“He was like every surfer, a wild man, an adventurer who loved nature. He made people feel good everywhere he went because he was so kind, charming & funny. I always felt so grateful that my daughter has a father who is the kind of man who cries from happiness. Few of his mantras that we can all use now is ‘Vida boa’ [good life] and ‘Sem medo’[no fear]."
Sophia added: “He loved being a Dad and he was so good at it.”
Mantega leaves behind not only his wife, Sophia, but they’re one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Violetta. And following his passing, a GoFundMe as well as a Paypal fundraiser were created to support the family Mantega leaves behind. They read:
“It is with broken hearts that we share the news that Martin, known to many as Mantega, has left us far too soon due to an accident.
“He passed away doing what he loved — in a moment of happiness, surrounded by dreams for the future. This is how we will remember him: smiling, fearless, and full of life.”
Rest in peace, Martin “Mantega” Cirko.