Surfer Daniel Bobis, Long Beach High School math teacher, goes missing in Indonesia

Long Beach High School teacher and beloved local surfer Daniel Bobis has reportedly gone missing off the coast of southern Sumatra during a surfing trip to Indonesia with his wife, Rachel.

Bobis, 32, reportedly went missing on Sunday after the leash on his board broke, according to a Facebook message his wife posted.

A vigil was held Sunday evening at the Laurelton Boulevard boardwalk. More than 500 turned out, including many of Bobis's students and fellow surfers, who toted votive candles as many shared their memories and spoke highly of the popular math teacher, who heads the school's surf team. A moment of silence was held as many showed their support and love for Danny, and prayed for his safe return. "We love you Danny!" the crowd yelled in unison in a show of solidarity.

“We looked all day but it is now Sunday evening here,” Rachel wrote on Sunday. “There is a dive team going out tomorrow to look for him. We are trying to get a helicopter but it is very difficult here.”

Daniel Bobis's surfboard was reportedly found, after he surfed in what many said is an area known for its big, often 14-foot waves. Many who know Bobis expressed optimism on Sunday that he could be found, saying that he is a resilient, experienced surfer.

“Right now, it’s the second day and they’re getting an organized search effort together,” said close friend Christopher Fry, who plays in a band with Danny, called Cipher. “The family is doing their best. I just think it’s amazing to see how many people he touched.”

The search effort was still underway as of Monday afternoon, as Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York) worked to aid the Bobis family.

“I can tell you that we’ve been talking to his family and his mother since early yesterday [Sunday]," King told the Herald on Monday. King said that he has been assisting Daniel's mother, Jasmine, obtain a new visa and passport because it had expired.

“We got the passport office to pull her application and she should get it tomorrow or Wednesday," King said. "We’ve been talking primarily with the embassy in Indonesia and they’ve been cooperative. We’re hearing that there has been difficulty with the search due to weather."

Fry said at the vigil that Bobis was vacationing at a surf camp with his wife. In an e-mail exchange with the Herald on July 7, Daniel Bobis said that he was traveling in Sri Lanka and was heading to Indonesia shortly after. He said that he was coming home in mid-August.

Rachel Bobis went on to write that the U.S. consulate and officials in Sumatra have been notified, and is asking that the community pray for her husband as the search effort intensifies.