The ocean held a special allure for Scott Tompkins, a Kansas City transplant who had always appreciated the surf from the safety of the beach.

That all changed this past weekend when the 31-year-old San Francisco resident bought his first wetsuit and tested it Sunday, swimming off Montara State Beach. A day later, on Tompkins' second foray into the ocean with his wetsuit, rescue divers pulled his body from the stormy waters south of Devil's Slide.

The San Mateo County coroner's office Tuesday identified Tompkins and determined that he had drowned. Authorities say it appears Tompkins may have been overcome by the fierce surf that reached up to 15 feet on Monday afternoon.

"On a rough day like that, it can be quite treacherous," said San Mateo County sheriff's Lt. Steve Shively. "Because of the strong action of the water, you can quickly get into trouble."

Tompkins, an assistant veterinary technician, was not oblivious to the dangers. He told a close friend Sunday that he had nearly been killed by the relentless currents. But the experience only served to whet his appetite even more, said friend Catyanna Roman.

"He said he almost drowned because the tide got him and dragged him in," she said. "He said the waves are going to be higher tomorrow, and he wanted to go again before other people got there."

Growing up in the suburbs of Kansas City, Tompkins never saw the ocean firsthand. It wasn't until the mid-1990s, when he spent three years working in Sacramento, that he first became mesmerized by the waves of the Pacific.

He returned to the West Coast in August, in part to fulfill his dream of working with animals, a calling he was able to pursue at the Holly Street Pet Hospital in San Carlos. But the chance to be near the ocean also helped lure Tompkins to San Francisco, said his mother, Linda Tompkins.

"He's always loved the ocean and loved talking about it," she said. "He just liked to look at it and watch it."

Linda Tompkins said her son enjoyed the ocean from the beach, often taking pictures on his frequent trips. But it wasn't until Christmas that he began talking about his desire to actually go in. She said he suddenly expressed an interest in learning to scuba dive.

Authorities believe Tompkins was the only one swimming along Montara State Beach on Monday afternoon. His body was spotted floating in the water by a passerby around 3 p.m. and was pulled to shore a short time later.

A sensitive soul, Tompkins enjoyed writing poetry and spending time with his cat. His roommate Giorgio Garbassi said few things made him as happy as his trips to the beach.

"He was just so happy going to the beach," he said. "I'm glad he died doing something he enjoyed."

Submitted on 12/29/2004

Submitted by: Brian Louie
Reference: SF Chronicle - B1 - 12/29/04

Copyright © 2004 DarwinAwards.com

Daniel said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
I'm of two minds on this one. Body surfing is an extreme sport, but anyone in the Bay area should know you don't do it alone at Pt Montara. I've been in 40 ft waves that came up suddenly there.(On a 43-ft sailboat.)

Jack said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
I've body surfed on the east coast and on the Gulf coast (where it is hardly an extreme sport, except during hurricanes...) But never having surfed the Pacific, I shall defer to the local expert, Daniel.

Charles said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
I'll go along with Daniel -- he knew that the waves had almost pulled him in, and that they were higher, so he deliberately ventured out into them again. Thrill-seeking is one thing, but...

Jason said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
Having lived on the Pacific coast for the last ten years. I agree with Daniel's assessment. He knew the danger for experiencing it the day prior and went anyway. Good example.

Jorge said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award

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