Perth brothers Jake and Callum Robinson remembered in emotional memorial paddle out at Sorrento beach
There were emotional scenes at Sorrento beach on Saturday as dozens of people paddled their way past the break of the waves to remember Callum and Jake Robinson.
Ocean paddlers, surfers and surf lifesavers gathered for the memorial paddle off the northern suburbs beach, with the brothers foremost in their minds.
Portraits of the brothers stood side by side on the sand as friends and family walked onto the beach, paddles and kayaks in tow, before heading onto the water.
With sun shining down on them, the group formed a circle before the boys’ father Martin Robinson paddled to the middle and said a few words to commemorate his beloved sons.
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Two wreaths were released onto the water, floating gently with the waves as grieving attendees raised their paddles in the air during a minute of silence.
Friends and family embraced, arms around each other, as they paddled back to shore following the emotional memorial.
With sun shining down on them, the group formed a circle before the boys’ father Martin Robinson paddled to the middle and said a few words to commemorate his beloved sons. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
Ocean paddlers, surfers and surf lifesavers gathered for the memorial paddle off the northern suburbs beach, with the brothers foremost in their minds. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
It came a week after Jake and Callum were farewelled in a heart-wrenching private memorial last Saturday at Sacred Heart College, across the road from Saturday’s paddle out.
Hundreds gathered at the college, where the brothers attended high school, to remember the fun-loving pair whose lives were tragically cut short in a bungled robbery.
“They loved life, and they followed their dreams. They were intelligent, respectful men with so much more to offer the world,” grieving mother Debra Robinson said.
Callum, 32, was a lacrosse star who represented Australia and played professionally in the US, and Jake, 31, was a doctor who was about to begin a new job at a hospital in Geelong.
People gathered to remember the brothers. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
The memorial paddle-out was touching. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
Friends and family embraced, arms around each other, as they paddled back to shore following the emotional memorial. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
Towards the end of the service, Mrs Robinson said she and Mr Robinson hoped everyone would “find your own way to honour them in the way you live your life”.
“We miss you beyond description. Callum and Jakey, boy, please shine on us.”
And on Saturday, they shone bright as they were remembered by all who loved them.
The brothers and their friend Jack Carter Rhoad had been travelling Mexico on a surfing trip when they were allegedly robbed of their car tyres and murdered while camping in the country’s Ensenada region.
They were last seen alive on April 27.
Jesus Gerardo Garcia Cota and his brother Cristian Alejandro Garcia were arrested soon after. Jesus has been charged with forced kidnapping, which is expected to be upgraded to murder.
Mexican authorities say they have not ruled out the possibility of more people being charged.