Who was Israel Barona? Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth, Death

Publish date: 2024-05-05

Israel Barona (born in 1989 – died on 31 October 2023, Aged: 34 years old) was a talented and passionate surfer who represented Ecuador in several international competitions and had aspirations of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Sadly, he passed away at the age of 34 on October 31, 2023, in El Salvador, where he was participating in a surfing event. His death shocked and saddened the surfing community and his fans around the world. Here is a brief overview of his life, career, and legacy.

Early Life and Family

Barona was born in 1989 in Ecuador, a country with a rich surfing culture and history. He grew up in a family of surfers, as his father Gonzalo Martinez-Barona was a pioneer of the sport in Ecuador and his sisters Dominic and Christiane also became professional surfers.

Israel started surfing when he was 10 years old and soon showed his talent and passion for the waves. He began competing at the national level when he was 15 and won several titles and awards. He also represented Ecuador at the World Surfing Games and the Bolivarian Games, where he showcased his skills and style.

Age, Birthday & Biography

Israel was born in 1989 in Ecuador, a country with a rich surfing culture and history. He celebrated his birthday on March 16 every year, according to his Instagram profile. He started surfing when he was 10 years old and soon showed his talent and passion for the waves.

Wedding, Wife & Son

Barona was married to Marie-Christine Amyot, a Canadian surfer, and they had a son named Tiago, who was born in 2020. Israel and Marie-Christine shared their love for surfing and traveled together to different surf spots around the world.

They also ran a surf school and a hostel in Montañita, a popular beach town in Ecuador. Israel was a devoted father and husband, who enjoyed spending time with his family and teaching his son how to surf.

Marie-Christine Amyot met Barona in 2016 when she visited Ecuador for a surfing trip. They fell in love and got married in 2019, in a beautiful ceremony on the beach.

They decided to settle in Montañita, where they opened their own business, called Barona Surf House. They offered surf lessons, board rentals, and accommodation to tourists and surfers who wanted to experience the Ecuadorian waves. They also supported the local surfing community and organized events and competitions.

Tiago Barona was born in 2020, and he inherited his parents’ passion for surfing. He started surfing when he was only one year old, with the help of his father and his aunt, Dominic Barona, who is also a professional surfer and an Olympian.

Tiago showed great potential and talent, and he became a sensation on social media, where his parents posted videos and photos of his surfing adventures. He was nicknamed “the little prince of surfing” by his fans and followers.

Physical Appearance

According to the World Surf League website, Barona’s height was 1.75 m and his weight was 70 kg. These measurements are based on his profile as a professional surfer who competed in the Men’s Qualifying Series of the WSL.

Israel had a regular surfing style, which means that he surfed with his left foot forward on the board. He also had a goofy surfing stance, which means that he surfed with his right foot closer to the nose of the board. These preferences indicate that he was right-handed and right-footed.

Barona had a powerful and aggressive surfing technique, which required him to have a strong and fit physique. He trained regularly to improve his surfing performance and endurance, as well as to prevent injuries.

He also followed a healthy and balanced diet, which included plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins. He avoided alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, as they could affect his surfing ability and health.

Surfing Career and Achievements

Barona was one of the most prominent surfers in Ecuador and Latin America. He competed regularly in the Men’s Qualifying Series of the World Surf League (WSL), the highest level of professional surfing.

He also participated in other regional and international events, such as the ALAS Latin Tour, the ISA World Surfing Games, and the Pan American Surfing Games. He was known for his powerful and aggressive surfing, as well as his versatility and adaptability to different conditions. He was also admired for his sportsmanship and charisma, as he always showed respect and friendship to his fellow competitors and fans.

Some of his notable achievements in his surfing career include:

Death Cause and Tributes

Barona died at the age of 34 unexpectedly on October 31, 2023, in El Salvador, where he was competing in the Surf City El Salvador ALAS Pro Tour, a WSL event. According to the reports, he suffered a heart attack after having dinner with his wife and son in his hotel room. He was rushed to a hospital, but he could not be revived. The cause of his death was confirmed by the Salvadoran National Civil Police, who ruled out any foul play or homicide.

His death was announced by the Ecuadorian Olympic Committee, who expressed their condolences to his family and friends. They also praised him as a great athlete and a champion, who represented Ecuador with pride and honor. The WSL also issued a statement, saying that they were deeply saddened by the loss of Barona, who was a respected and beloved member of the surfing community. They also extended their sympathy and support to his family and the Ecuadorian surfing federation.

Many surfers and fans paid tribute to Barona on social media, sharing their memories and admiration for him. His sister Dominic, who is also a Tokyo 2020 Olympian and a Pan American Games medalist, posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying that she loved him and that he was her light forever. His wife Marie-Christine also thanked everyone for their love and prayers and said that she was proud of him and his legacy.

Legacy and Impact

Barona was a surfer who inspired and influenced many people with his passion, talent, and personality. He was a role model and a mentor for many young surfers in Ecuador and Latin America, who looked up to him and followed in his footsteps.

He was also a pioneer and a leader in the development and promotion of surfing in his country and region, as he participated in various projects and initiatives to support the sport and the community. He was a surfer who dreamed of the Olympics, and who gave his best to achieve his goals and to make his country proud.

Barona will be remembered as one of the greatest surfers in Ecuador and Latin America, and as a person who lived and loved surfing. His legacy and impact will live on in the hearts and minds of his family, friends, and fans, and in the waves that he surfed.

Israel Barona Wiki/BIO

NameIsrael Barona
Date of Birth1989
Place of BirthEcuador
NationalityEcuadorian
Height1.75 m
Weight70 kg
Surfing StyleRegular
Surfing StanceGoofy
ParentsFather: Gonzalo Martinez-Barona
SiblingsSisters: Dominic and Christiane Barona
WifeMarie-Christine Amyot
KidsSon: Tiago Barona
Death CauseHeart attack on October 31, 2023, in El Salvador
Instagramisrael_barona
Homepagenewsunzip.com

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