Born September 26th, 1955, Kirk G. Cottrell was a South Florida “native.” Along with that came a love for surfing, diving and most water sports South Florida had to offer. Kirk attended Boca Raton High School and became a born-again believer in Jesus Christ in his Senior year (1972). Graduating in 1973, Kirk attended the University of Florida in Gainesville for two years and then enrolled in Philadelphia College of Bible where he graduated in the spring of 1978. Upon graduating Kirk moved back to South Florida and started Island Water Sports.

In the Spring of 1980, Kirk met his wife to be, Lucinda. Sparks flew and the two were married a year later. In the years that followed, the Lord blessed the couple with three children, Cheyne, Karly and Linsey.

In 1997 Kirk surprised friends and family with his decision to leave the U.S. and head for South Africa as a missionary to surfers. He joined up with an existing Christian Surfers ministry in the African country, and spent much time traveling along the Southern African coast sharing the gospel with surfers of all ages.

Though his ministry there was to last only five years until his death in a surfing accident in 2001, Kirk nevertheless made a lasting impact in South Africa and started a church in Kommetjie, a coastal village on the Cape Peninsula, which he pastored until the time of his passing away.

Friends say Kirk Cottrell was able to pack 90 years of life into the 45 years he lived, as “he kept a schedule like LaGuardia Airport on Christmas Day.”

“Kirk loved life, and he lived it to the fullest. Kirk loved his family, loved his wife, loved his children, loved his ministry, and loved his friends. Kirk knew how to love. He touched so many people,” said Pastor Mark Davis of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale.

According to Carol Holland of Surf Express, Kirk literally changed the face of Surfing in South Florida: "Kirk was one of the prime shakers and movers in putting East Coast Surfing on the map. He believed in the sport and it's potential as a vehicle to spotlight young surfers and products and have fun doing it. He always took time to talk to the surfers, remember their names and laugh with them. He was a rare person and his flair and love will be missed, his life and beliefs touched so many!"

Whether through his surf store, Island Water Sports, the Bible studies he taught, the free surfing lessons he provided, or pulling up his South Florida roots to start a church in South Africa — Kirk Cottrell was a leader who acted upon his beliefs.