Trent Riley – the Brisbane skateboarder on the cover of our current issue ­­and beloved friend to so many in the Australian skateboarding community – went missing on Wednesday, April 14, while out fishing near the Port of Brisbane in his little tinnie.

Trent’s aluminium boat, ‘Lydia’, was found driving unmanned, just off Mud Island in Moreton Bay. Police were called when the boat was found at about 3.30pm Wednesday, and since then, a major search operation has been ongoing, involving the Water Police, the Coast Guard, Volunteer Marine Rescue teams and a whole bunch of Trent’s friends. The ABC reports that 15 boats and two helicopters have been involved in the search. 

By all accounts, Trent is a keen fisherman and a strong swimmer, with plenty of experience out on the water. 

“We have massive hope,” Trent’s brother Shannon Riley told 7News. “Trent’s a survivor, and I don’t want anyone to think [finding him] is not going to happen because the impossible has happened before.”

Boardslide photo and main portrait above by Wade McLaughlin.

On Thursday, Police found Trent’s hat floating in the water near St Helena Island. It’s a bucket hat with a strap and clip that Shannon believes Trent would have had to physically remove himself. Shannon explained, “I believe that he was swimming for somewhere and then the hat was annoying him, and he’s ripped it off, and he’s somewhere on an island, or on the ocean.” 

Chris Walsh at Parliament Skate Shop said, “We are beside ourselves,” but that he and the Parliament crew are trying hard to stay positive. Shannon said, “It’s been the worst time of our lives,” but he explained, “We’re not giving up, no way.” 

Trent and his girlfriend Ky la.

Trent recently had the last part in Treasury, a video by Harry Pascoe, and he was surprised with his first cover of Slam at the premiere. Trent’s cover is a phenomenal Natas spin at the iconic Brisbane bull horns spot, shot by Curtis Hay.   

It’s hard to believe that we surprised Trent with his first Slam cover just a few weeks ago. Photo by Curtis Hay.

Shannon asked anyone in Brisbane with the “resources or heart to help” to show up at Moreton Bay at 7am on Saturday morning to assist with the search, that is, if Trent hasn’t been found by then. Thank you to everyone involved in the search! 

Update: A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Trent Riley’s family to help them continue the search and cover any other expenses they may have. You can make a donation HERE.

More to come.