Surfers to share grieving with paddle-out for Jack

The man behind organising a mass tribute for missing 5-year-old Jack Dixon on Sunday says he hopes the gesture will help grieving family members know they are not alone.

And a Facebook page dedicated to the young Lego and rugby fan shares the same message.

Papamoa surfer Brett Morrison said he did not know the family but news of Jack's disappearance had shocked and upset him as well as the local surfing community, who were wanting to do something to help.

Mr Morrison said he hoped the mass paddle-out would help provide some solace for grieving family and community members.

"It's just something I thought of doing, just something with some local surfers to really get behind the family by going out for a paddle and paying respects to the young fella and the sea that took him," he said.

On Wednesday afternoon, Jack had been playing with two cousins on Shelly Beach at the base of Mauao when a rogue wave carried all three out to sea. The cousins managed to climb on to a rock but Jack, who could not swim, remains missing despite a huge search operation.

Mr Morrison said Jack's disappearance had weighed heavy on his mind.

"I've got something going on in my personal life which has made me more more aware of how precious life is," he said.

"The people who donate their time to me mean so much.

"This is something people can put a bit of time into to help."

The paddle-out was open to anyone who wanted to take part.

Mr Morrison said the paddle-out was a gesture for the family, to let them know they are not alone.

"I know it can be hard to reach out but this just shows that everyone is there. We are one big community and we are thinking about them," Mr Morrison said.

A Facebook page titled "Grieving Hearts" has since been set up "For all those people that are heartbroken by the tragic event of a previous little boy in Mount Maunganui".

The page is dedicated to Jack and hosts a trail of tributes.

The unknown creator of the page stated: "I believe this page will eventually reach the family and they will see that we hurt with them and they will be blessed to know that this burden is carried by us all. Please share to as many as possible and feel free to post your love for the family on this page."

Paddle-out for Jack
- Sunday, October 5
- 4.30pm-6.30pm
- Mount Maunganui Main Beach