An Australian man has been killed in a surfing accident in the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia.
Mentawai Resort Police head AKBP Reko Indro Sasongko told the Jakarta Post that Ronald Stephen Schneider, 54, died on Tuesday when a wave slammed him into a rock at South Sipora.
His body is reportedly in Dr. M. Djamil General Hospital and is being prepared to be sent to Australia.
The husband and father of three from Sawtell, about 10 kilometres south of Coffs Harbour, was on a surfing trip with a group of friends, who were all members of the Sawtell Boardriders.
"We will all miss you Ron. A great bloke who would do anything to help the club out," the president of Sawtell Boardriders Mark Hodgson wrote on the group's Facebook page accompanied by a photograph of the long boarder.
"Our thoughts are with his family in this difficult time. God bless Ron," Mr Hodgson wrote.
"RIP my beautiful big brother Ron...God i am going to miss you......gone way too soon," posted his sister.
"A nicer bloke you could not meet. A true champion to our community. You will be sorely missed Ronny. You will never be forgotten mate. RIP," wrote friend and fellow surfer Phil Klaus.
"Sparkling Blue eyes a ready laugh always a kind word where do you stop ... He was a true water brother sadly Missed but not forgotten Peace," posted Kevin Joseph Cramer.
"[Y]ou went out in the best way possible . Surfing in a beautiful tropic location you always had a way about you," posted his brother-in-law.
A spokeswoman said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian man who died in Indonesia.
"Due to privacy considerations, we will not be providing further information," she said.
Informal drinks will be held at the Southside Beach in Sawtell on Friday afternoon to celebrate his life.
