Bern Page shaped the modern safety blueprint for professional surfing, from refining global water-safety standards to building crisis-response systems that kept athletes secure on tour. His work was critical to restarting the Championship Tour during the pandemic, setting new operational benchmarks. Sadly, on September 22, 2025, Bern Page, the WSL Head of Global Security, passed away. He was 50. What he left behind were intricate memories with the surfers and the safety standards he set for the WSL world.  

The World Surf League took to Instagram to announce the tragic news. They shared a carousel of pictures featuring Bern Page and penned, “Today, we mourn the passing of Bern Page, our longtime Global Safety and Security Director and a deeply respected member of the WSL family. For nearly a decade, Bern guided our safety operations with calm authority and quiet leadership, earning the trust of all who worked with him.” 

They highlighted Page’s unwavering dedication that ensured safety standards at the surfing competitions and events. It was his integrity, commitment to care, and professionalism that brought out tears from the people he worked with. The message from WSL further read, “His absence will be profoundly felt across our team. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew him. He will be deeply and sincerely missed.” 

The cause of Page’s demise is still a mystery. But it was heartbreaking for those who worked closely with him. Hence, as the WSL world mourns his passing, many athletes, surfers, and his coworkers at the WSL paid tribute, and shared their encomiums for Page. 

Surfing world shares their heartfelt eulogies for Page

The two-time WSL world champion, Filipe Toledo, highlighted his meeting with Page this year. He wrote, “RIP BERN! Got to share a surf session with him at Bells early this year 🙏🏾🤍 thanks for always take good care of us all on tour !” The former CEO of the WSL, Erik Logan, was next. He was the one who took WSL through the COVID-19 pandemic. And Bern Page played a major role in assisting him. Logan commented, “Godspeed Bern – Thank you for everything. Without you zero chance we get through COVID or get the tour running. A true unsung hero. Much love to your family. You will be missed.”

Additionally, Christian Beserra, the CEO of World Professional Surfers, shared a few words. He stated, “This is really devastating. Thank you BRU for protecting everyone on Tour so efficiently for so many years. The amount of work behind the scenes with logistics, communication and preparation to keep us safe was second to none, principally during Covid. You were always so cool and respectful. Heaven is safer now. RIP, Bern. Much love to your family ❤️.” Overseeing details large and small, it was Page’s job to make sure that world champions made it from the water to the podium safely. 

In fact, he played a vital role in managing the massive crowds in Brazil, as well as making sure the athletes under his care made it safely from one corner of the world to the next. The Brazilian surfer, infamous for his aerial style, Yago Dora, wrote, “Thank for everything you did for us Bern❤️ may you rest in peace my friend.” Following Dora, three-time WSL champion, Mick Fanning, commented, “Bern you’ll be missed mate. Always enjoyed seeing you. So friendly and cared deeply for his people. Fly high Bern 🙏🏼❤️.” Bettylou Sakura Johnson, Conner Coffin, Adriano De Souza, and Italy’s top surfer, Leonardo Fioravanti, also expressed their gratitude and grieved Page’s passing. 

The famed entrepreneur and co-founder of MIKOH, Kalani Miller, expressed her gratitude, she wrote, “We will miss you Bern! Thank you for everything. An amazing man” 

Page approached every challenge with humility and resolve. His absence will be profoundly felt across many avenues of World Surf League.