By Mary Lyn Fonua

A diving accident claimed the life of a promising young athlete, JJ Rice (18), at Faleloa, Ha'apai, on Saturday 15 June.

His father Darren Rice, confirmed that JJ was free diving from a boat on Saturday, when he died from a suspected shallow water blackout. His body was found on the seafloor underneath the boat at about 12:15pm by other divers. Attempts to resuscitate him had failed.

Jackson James (JJ) Rice was born in the United States to British parents, but grew up in Ha'apai, where his parents, Darren and Nina Rice, own the Matafonua Island Lodge. As a naturalised Tonga, JJ had represented Tonga over several years in Kite Foiling at international events, and saw himself as a Tongan. 

JJ had recently returned to Ha'apai after competing in the "2024 Formula Kite World Championships" in Hyères in the South of France. Kite foil racing is similar to kite surfing, but uses a foil board, so the rider appears to fly above the water and can perform acrobatic tricks and quick turns. 

His sister Lily Rice paid tribute to her talented brother on Facebook on Sunday. “I was blessed with the most amazing brother in the whole world and it pains me to say that he’s passed away ... he was an amazing kitefoiler and he would have made it to the Olympics and come out with a big shiny medal ... he made so many amazing friends all over the world,” she said.

His father Darren remembered how JJ, at 15, had risked his life to help save many lives, when a ferryboat carrying 18 people capsized in heavy seas off Faleloa in 2021. On another occasion, JJ swam out to rescue two girls, who had been swept off a sandbar, and pulled them back to safety.

The time of his funeral will be announced at a later date.

https://matangitonga.to/2024/05/15/tongas-jj-rice-preps-summer-olympics-... [2]

https://matangitonga.to/2023/08/15/tonga-jj-rice-represents-world-sailin... [3]

https://matangitonga.to/2023/06/13/haapai-kite-boarder-jj-rice-pursues-o... [4]

https://matangitonga.to/2021/0½8/woman-dies-haapait-capsize [5]