Kim Morarity’s story is one marked by love, strength, and resilience. While she is best known as the wife of big-wave surfer Jay Moriarity, Kim has a life beyond her marriage. Soon after Jay died, Kim became an inspiration to many by turning her personal tragedy into a life of joy and love for others.
Early Life and Love Story with Jay Moriarity
Kim was raised near the ocean in Santa Cruz, California. This surf cultured coastal community was where Kim met Jay Moriarity, a young surfer with an extraordinary talent for riding big waves. They connected instantly and were soon inseparable. The pair married in 2000, united by their love for the ocean, adventure, and living life to the fullest.
At the age of 16, Jay Moriarity conquered one of the world’s most dangerous and legendary waves, the Mavericks. His athleticism and fearlessness on waves earned him respect in the surfing world and he was loved by many. Jay was grounded despite his fame, and Kim was his faithful partner through it all. The two led simple, adventurous lives in tune with nature.
Tragedy Strikes: Jay’s Untimely Death
In 2001, Jay Moriarity drowned in a free-diving accident while training in the Maldives a day before his 23rd birthday. The loss devastated Kim and the Santa Cruz surfing community. Jay was an amazing athlete, as well as a person of kindness, positivity, and enthusiasm for life.
For Kim, it was unimaginable grief. Losing her husband so young put her in a place of grief and uncertainty. But instead of despair, Kim chose another path. She decided to honor Jay by living as he lived – full of optimism, generosity, and passion.
Turning Grief into Purpose
The road Kim has taken since Jay died is one of strength. She turned her grief into action for good, keeping Jay’s spirit alive through initiatives that helped others. She started the Jay Moriarity Foundation (JMF) to help youth and spread the values Jay stood for: living a life of kindness, perseverance, and respect for the ocean and the environment.
The foundation holds paddle-out gatherings, beach cleanups, and surf camps that connect people with nature, promote self-discipline, and foster a sense of community. Kim also later became a motivational speaker, sharing her experiences of loss and recovery to help others overcome their struggles.
Kim’s Life Today
Today, Kim Moriarity continues to carry the torch for her late husband, but she has also built a meaningful life for herself. Through her work with the foundation, she has helped thousands of people embrace the same values Jay lived by. She is a living testimony to human potential for growth in the face of unimaginable grief.
Kim has also remarried and raised a family, finding happiness again while honoring her past. She shows emotional strength through her ability to balance moving forward while remaining connected to Jay’s legacy.
