18/10/2025
Gutted to hear we’ve lost such a legend of surfing here in Aotearoa. Derm epitomized what it meant to be a surfer here and he did it with an incredible grin and such a positive nature. Going to hit hard this one …
It’s with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to one of the coolest humans I’ve had the privilege to know. A true legend of the ocean.
I’ll never forget the first time I saw him. A lone figure way out to sea in 6–8 foot swell with a gale blowing from the southwest. While standing in the car park wondering who this lunatic was, there he was, bobbing in the chaos, drifting toward Muriwai, completely in his element. He came in grinning ear to ear, absolutely buzzing. That was Dermott. Fearless, free, and always frothing.
The memories are endless, and I know I’m not the only one. Anyone from Muriwai or who’s spent time around him knows the impact he had. He was such a soul of the place.
Rest easy out there my friend. You’ll live on every time the swell picks up and it will always remind us of you.
