SAN DIEGO — Hundreds gathered at Dog Beach in Ocean Beach Saturday afternoon to remember lost friends. They participated in a paddle out to honor three surfers murdered recently south of Ensenada.
Friends and loved ones of Callum Robinson, Jake Robinson and Carter Rhoad shared hugs and stories as they remembered the three men. Jack was visiting his brother Callum from their home in Australia, although Callum had moved to Ocean Beach within the last few years. Their friend Rhoad was also a San Diego resident.
The three had driven south on a surfing and camping trip into Baja. They posted pictures and videos on the internet late last month.
But they disappeared before reaching their next stop, an AirBnB in Rosarito. Their white Chevy pick-up truck was found torched near their abandoned campsite and their bullet-riddled bodies were discovered later, several miles away at the bottom of a 15-meter well.
Three people were quickly arrested but none has been charged with murder.
At the beach Saturday, friends signed notes on a poster board for Callum, who was affectionately known as the Big Koala.
One surfer, Cara, spoke with CBS 8 about Callum.
"Nobody was a stranger," she said. "The second time I met him, we had a conversation, he walked away and made a point to come back later and give me a hug before he left. Just that kind of human, ya know."
A lacrosse exhibition was part of the celebration of life.
Sam Cunard of the San Diego Lacrosse Club recalled one of his last memories of Callum. It happened to be their final game together.
"We were losing and he came up to pull the defense and he said, 'Hey, chins up, boys! It's just lacrosse.' He had his way to impact everyone around him for the better," Curand said.
Teammate Josh Nelson said he was a integral part of the team's culture.
"Callum was a huge part of our team, from our internal messaging to showing up for days like this, playing 3-bye. He was always here! Larger than life! Bringing the energy, the smiles, and the greatest vibes that we could have asked for."
Cara spoke of the feelings she experienced during their time in the surf, "There was a wave that went though right as Josh was speaking and it was so powerful and it just felt like they were there with us."
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