Long Beach High School Teacher, Surf Club Founder Disappears In Indonesia
LONG BEACH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island town is on edge after a beloved member of the community went missing over the weekend in Indonesia.
Daniel Bobis, 32, is a math teacher at Long Beach High School and recently founded the school's surf club, the first of its kind in New York State.
His wife, Rachel, said he was surfing 12-foot waves off the coast of Sumatra on Sunday when his board washed up on shore.
"I'm hoping maybe he's in like a little cave or island just waiting to be rescued," a family friend told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera. "I just remember Rachel telling me this was going to be their vacation before they settle down with the family. They wanted a family after this vacation."
1010 WINS' Mona Rivera Speaks With Surfers In Long Beach
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Friends in Long Beach told CBS 2's Emily Smith that they find Bobis' disappearance hard to believe.
"It's a tight community here with a lot of surfers and everybody knows Danny," Cliff Skudin said. "We're just praying that things work out."
"The whole entire block is upset about it. We see him out here every morning. Always going surfing; it's heart breaking," neighbor Ann Marie Irizarry said.
The couple and a friend have been visiting exotic reefs in the Far East since June and planned to return on Aug. 12.
A candlelight vigil for Bobis took place Sunday night. A family spokesperson told Smith Bobis' wife remains in Indonesia while search crews comb the water for her husband.
"People are taking her into their hearts and comforting her and helping family members get to her side," Nicholas Meola said.
Aside from surfing, Bobis is the drummer in a well known local band-called "Cipher."
One student Smith spoke with said Bobis a great role model for all students.
"He is one of the best teachers I've ever known. He taught most of the kids I hung out with," Charles Irizarry said.
Friends said they are hoping Bobis' physical strength and knowledge of the water will somehow bring him home alive.
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