Rescuers search for missing big-wave surfer Alec ‘Ace Cool’ Cooke
Ocean Safety, Coast Guard, police and fire rescue personnel are searching for big-wave surfer Alec “Ace Cool” Cooke, who has been missing since he went surfing on the North Shore Tuesday afternoon.
Police said Cooke, 59, was last seen at 4 p.m. Tuesday, when he left his Wailua home to go surfing.
His girlfriend reported him missing to police Wednesday after he failed to return from surfing, the Coast Guard said.
His truck, with his dog and keys still inside, was found near Saints Peter and Paul Mission Church at 59-810 Kamehameha Highway at about 1 a.m. today, officials said. A surf board was missing. Shoreline and ocean search began at 8 a.m., Jenkins said.
Lifeguards and firefighters are combing the waters between Haleiwa and Sharks Cove. A missing person’s bulletin also was issued by police, and the Coast Guard asked mariners to keep an eye out for Cooke.
Police said Cooke is about 5 feet, 9 inches, 160 pounds, with white hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a white T-shirt and light-blue, plaid surf shorts.
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Cooke is a well-known surfer from the 1980s, who has also worked as an extra and actor in Hawaii television shows and movies.
A high surf warning was in effect Tuesday afternoon because of 25- to 30-foot waves breaking on the North Shore.
Another high surf warning was issued today as another rising swell is expected to bring more 25-foot waves to the north shore through Friday.
• Way-big-wave surfer Alec Cooke missing after night session (subscription required)