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Search underway for missing windsurfer on Banana River

Greggory Johnson last seen near Kelly Park

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a windsurfer who has been missing since Wednesday night.

Deputies said they’re searching for 60-year-old Greggory Johnston, of Merritt Island, whose car was found in the area of Kelly Park, where the search is taking place.

The search began around 7 p.m. Wednesday after the sheriff’s office got a report that Johnston had been windsurfing on the Banana River and had not returned.

“He saw an individual leave to go windsurfing and he hasn’t returned yet,” a dispatcher reported. “Their vehicle’s still in the parking lot.”

Johnston’s board and windsurfing sail were recovered on the eastern shore of the river, across from the park, Thursday morning.

The sheriff’s office is still searching for Johnston, who was described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall with a stocky build and gray hair. He was last seen wearing black shorts.

“Just hope they find him alive, but it doesn’t look very good,” said Mike Gulick at Kelly Park.

He worried that Johnston may have lost control while windsurfing in rough conditions.

News 6 recorded big waves Wednesday close to Kelly Park at Port Canaveral and later saw daring surfers braving the waters at the Cocoa Beach Pier.

“There was a report of a couple of guys who told him not to go out because his board was too big and the wind was too strong, but he said he was going out anyway,” Gulick said. “I’ve got a 24-foot boat. I wouldn’t have taken it out.”

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office at 321-633-7162.


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About the Authors
Christie Zizo headshot

Christie joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021.

James Sparvero headshot

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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