The San Diego fishing community is mourning the loss of one of their own, Michael Rijavec, a popular YouTuber known for his channel SD Fish and Sips. Rijavec was found dead in Mexican waters after a multi-day search effort following his disappearance while kayaking off the coast of Baja California Sur last Tuesday.
Hopes for a safe return were dampened when Rijavec's empty skiff was located roughly five miles from shore, its six-horsepower outboard motor missing. Despite expansive search operations by the U.S. Coast Guard, which were later handed over to the Mexican Navy, efforts to find him alive were unsuccessful. His family and local community banded together to support the search, amassing over $46,000 on a GoFundMe campaign, which included funding for fuel, pilots, boats, and aerial support.
The tragic discovery of Rijavec's body yesterday, near San Cristobal, brought the harrowing search to an end. Michael's brother, Gregory Rijavec, expressed his gratitude for community support, saying, "As difficult as it is to accept this, we are grateful that it provides us some closure," ABC 10News reports. The family and search teams were praised for their unwavering dedication amidst uncertainty and grief.
Rijavec was beloved in the fishing community, both online and in San Diego. His YouTube channel boasted over 20,000 subscribers and featured more than 550 videos. His passion for fishing and adventurous spirit were well captured in his content, as echoed by friends and family. According to a statement shared by his family with ABC 10News, "[Michael's] mission was to spread his positive energy and make every person he came in contact with better, and he did."
