A 13-year-old surfing star died in a shark attack off the coast of the Indian Ocean island of Reunion on Sunday.

The tragic incident occurred Sunday morning as Elio Canestri and seven others were surfing off the west coast of the island, a spokesman for the island's rescue services agency told NBC News. That's when a shark tore into the boy's stomach and flung him around in the water just as he was about to mount a wave, the spokesman added.

"A boat was launched very quickly, and the victim was dragged out of the sea, but he died from his wounds," the spokesman said. "Those who witnessed the attack, including other children, are being treated for trauma."

Following the tragedy, the teen's mother says she found a note that he left saying that he would not go in the water unless there were spotters watching the ocean for the predators. In light of the 16 shark attacks on the island over the past four years, all water-based activities have been banned unless spotters are in place.

"Don't worry, Mom," Canestri wrote, reports NBC. "I'm going surfing. If there's no security, I won't surf."

The surfing champ's father, Giovanni, also told French broadcaster RTL that his son had "always been very careful" in the waters.

"He was someone who always listened to his parents," Giovanni Canestri told RTL. "He analyzed danger intelligently, he was a competitor."

"Titi was devoured by his passion," his father added, referring to the young surfing star by his family nickname. "Fate decided one day to take him away and he is gone."

The president of the French Surfing Federation also addressed the death of the young star, saying it was "impossible to blame the young boy" for the incident.

"Despite the ban in place and the instructions of his coach, how could one forbid a young boy of 13 from pursuing his passion when one lives on an island surrounded by the ocean and these magnificent waves," said President Jean Luc Arassus.