Alec “Ace Cool” Cooke missing on the North Shore

Helicopters search North Shore after Cooke reported missing

Hawaii authorities are searching for North Shore personality and big-wave surfer Alec Cooke.

Alec “Ace Cool” Cooke was reported missing Wednesday after his girlfriend alerted authorities that he hadn’t returned from a day of surfing.

According to KITV, Cooke’s truck was found near St. Peter & Paul Church near Waimea Bay. The truck’s keys, along with Cooke’s dog and one of his surfboards were inside and believed to have been there since Tuesday.

The North Shore has had heavy surf this week. Coast Guard officials said in a statement Thursday that the 59-year-old went surfing during a 20- to 25-foot swell near Waimea Bay.

Investigators confirmed that Cooke was last seen Tuesday after he left his house in Waialua around 4 in the afternoon to go surfing. Cooke’s girlfriend reported him missing the next morning when he didn’t return.

Alec Cooke is known for his big wave exploits including jumping from a helicopter into giant surf at Kaena Point on Oahu. In 2008 Cooke completed a complete swim around Oahu in 10 days to raise awareness about ocean pollution.