‘Hardest moment of my life’: Twin of surfer killed in shark attack posts emotional tribute

1 week ago 3

The twin brother of a surfer who was mauled by a shark on Sydney’s northern beaches over the weekend has shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, saying the pair “share the same soul” and that losing him was the hardest moment of his life.

Mercury “Merc” Psillakis was surfing with friends at Dee Why Beach on Saturday morning about 100 metres from the shore when a large shark killed the 57-year-old.

The shocking death, described as a “freak accident” by police, has devastated the Psillakis family. Merc’s twin brother, Mike, took to social media on Monday afternoon to share a tribute.

“This is the hardest moment of my life,” he wrote. “He was my Ying, I was his Yang. He was my mirror, my blood, my DNA. We were telepathic. We share the same soul.

“Mercury was my life, my right-hand man. Words cannot describe the bond we had together growing up. We had our own language and shared the same dreams, literally. The experiences we had together were truly amazing.”

The twins have been members of the Long Reef Boardriders Association since the 1980s, both winning a club champion award in the 1990s. Mercury had recently helped organise a paddle-out tribute after the death of another Dee Why surfer.

Mike Psillakis said his brother’s message would be “to live life with pure passion”.

“Express ALL emotions, whether they are happy, sad, angry or mad. Tell your loved ones that you love them. Hold them tight. Get rid of the filter that hides who you really are. He was passionate about being REAL!” he wrote in the social media tribute.

“I love you, bro. You are forever with me, through me.”

The tribute came as swimmers and surfers returned to the water at nearby beaches on Monday.

Swimmers return to Manly Beach on Monday.

Seasoned surfer Nick Schultz said he was shaken by Saturday’s fatal attack, and was “feeling hesitant this morning about going in the water”.

“But you have to remember they’re out there all the time,” Schultz told the Herald after his surf at Manly Beach on Monday afternoon.

Jessica Tavares, who lives a five-minute stroll from Dee Why Beach, which remained closed on Monday, said she cancelled surfing lessons set to start in October after hearing the news of Psillakis’ death.

Locals pay tribute to Mercury Psillakis at Dee Why Beach.

“I was going to start my lessons in October. It’s not going to happen because, I think ... it’s too dangerous,” the 25-year-old said after swimming at Dee Why ocean pool.

The death has triggered a pause on Premier Chris Minns’ trial to remove shark nets from three Greater Sydney beaches ahead of a report to be handed down from the Department of Primary Industries.

The attack occurred a week after shark nets were installed at Dee Why and 50 other beaches between Wollongong and Newcastle on Monday, the first day of spring.

Long Reef Boardriders Association said the beloved friend, brother, husband and father was an outstanding surfer loved by “everyone”.

“Merc was an outstanding surfer, being club champion, had an outstanding junior career and surfed with his heart for Longy in many TAG Team events,” a tribute posted on Instagram said.

“Mercury was loved by everyone. He was a passionate, caring, loyal, loving husband, father, son, brother and friend to everyone. Anyone who spent time with him (and there’s many of you) will have a special story of him.”

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