The funeral for 19-year-old Zac Young, the surfer killed by a shark off the north coast of New South Wales last weekend, has been held in Port Macquarie today. The service was attended by over a thousand people, standing room only with many attendees in board shorts and brightly tie-dyed shirts ready to join the celebration of Zac’s life. The funeral service was live-streamed by Christian Surfers, with over 1,500 people watching from other parts of Australia.

Zac Young was farewelled today in Port Macquarie. Image: Christian Surfers Australia

Zac was attacked by a three-meter tiger shark last Saturday (30 November), while surfing with three of his friends. The boys, Lindsy Isaac, Kurt Gillan, 18, and Shayden Schrader, 15, struggled with the shark and dragged Zac to shore, as they prayed with him. Newspapers around the country carried headlines like The Australian’s ‘Shark attack victim Zac Young prayed with mates before dying.’ Zac’s faith and life has touched the nation—a Facebook tribute page for Zac now has over 27,000 likes.

Zac’s family requested 1,000 Bibles to be given out at the funeral, provided by Bible Society Australia, setting the tone for a service dedicated to demonstrating Zac’s love for Christ and his commitment to sharing his faith with others. Zac was just about to start an apprenticeship with Christian Surfers and Youth for Christ, and has been described by his pastor as wanting to “give his life over to telling the whole world about Jesus”.

Zac’s dad, Kevin Young said the most important message he wanted to get across today was love. He said he’d asked a lot of people in the last week what they thought love was, and while the answers they gave were ok with him, he said he “never had to ask Zac to give me words to describe love. I just looked at him, and I knew.”

Dave Malvern, regional coordinator for Christian Surfers in Coffs Harbour, read out a note written by Zac in which he described himself as a “passionate follower of Jesus Christ.”

Attendees praising God for Zac Young’s life at his funeral today in Coffs Harbour.

“What’s my vision?” the note read. “To make disciples of all nations, to preach the gospel to everyone. To see people step into a relationship with Jesus … I’ll be faithful with the little I have here in Port [Macquarie] … and let God have his 100 per cent way.”

Mr Malvern told attendees that he had been meeting up with Zac for several years, and had the privilege of watching him grow in his faith.

“At Christian Surfers alone, we saw hundreds of people impacted by his life. For me personally, journeying with Zac over these years, I was so proud of who he was becoming. I was meant to be mentoring him, but I think he was mentoring me. We’re going to miss him so much… we love you, we’ll miss you. Goodbye, brother.”