Surf death

Musical talent lost

SAM BAKER/ The Manawatu Standard

MUSICAL TALENT: Tony Costa, one half of music duo Illyspillaz, died in a surfing accident in Wellington's Lyall Bay on Monday. He left behind two young children, and a gaping hole in Palmerston North's music scene.

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Prominent Palmerston North hip-hop emcee Tony Costa died riding the waves he loved.

The 33-year-old musician and father was killed in a surfing accident on Monday, after he collided with another surfer and was thrown off his board in Wellington's Lyall Bay.

He leaves behind two young girls and a wife in Palmerston North, "heaps and heaps" of friends, and a legacy in the local music industry.

Yesterday, friend Damian McGregor a DJ known as D-Fresh said Costa had loved to surf ever since he was a young boy, growing up in Island Bay.

"He has always been a keen surfer, and sadly his love for surfing [took his life], you know. It's just an awful loss."

Costa was Mr McGregor's best man at his wedding, and they had known each other about 20 years.

"He had heaps and heaps of friends, his house was always open.

"You couldn't find someone to say something bad about him he had no enemies whatsoever, he was just a beautiful guy. If there was a phrase to sum him up by, loyal friend would be it."

The full-time musician was also a doting father whose life revolved around his little girls, Mr McGregor said.

"He was an incredible father, so dedicated, always taking the girls out. I would have rung him daily, and if it was between three and five, he would be in the park with the girls."

Costa had been in the music industry for at least 25 years, first as an emcee in Wellington before moving to Palmerston North to be with his wife.

He began collaborating with local artists, before forming hip-hop duo Illyspillaz with James Vernon.In 2008 they released a CD, Bag of Dreams, and their first music video for song Blurred vision. It included numerous cameo appearances from supportive New Zealand musicians like Tiki Taane, Haani, from Katchafire, and Flowz, from the Footsouljahs.

Since then Costa has featured on a number of national releases, most recently on track One step away, with emcee Flowz.

He had also started up his own independent music label, Dug Out Records, to help support young talent, Mr McGregor said.

NO LUCK THIS TIME

David Gatfield fought desperately to save his friend knocked unconscious in a tragic surfing accident just as he successfully saved another man 10 years ago.

This time it was not meant to be. Tony Costa died after a collision with another surfer in Lyall Bay about 3.30pm on Monday.

Mr Gatfield was in the surf near The Wall at Lyall Bay, in "treacherous and stormy" conditions, when he spotted Costa floating in the water after colliding with another surfer.

"His lips were blue and he was knocked unconscious."

Mr Gatfield lay Costa face down on his own surf board, climbing on top of him and holding his head up between crashing waves.

Joined by other surf mates, the group struggled for up to 20 minutes against the current trying to get him to land.

Ambulance officers could not revive Costa.

Mr Gatfield said he saved another surfer injured in similar circumstances in 1999.

-The Dominion Post

- © Fairfax NZ News