Haydn Griffiths' devastated sister gave an emotional tribute to her brother and warned others about nature at a touching vigil celebrating his life.
Groups of people came together at Derby Pool car park in New Brighton on Monday, August 1 to celebrate the 23-year-old's life after he attempted to swim out to the wind turbines, disappeared in the water and didn't resurface. His family were among those that gave speeches, including his sister, Megan Griffiths.
She spoke to crowd about her "crazy caveman" brother and the importance of respecting nature. She said she could "feel" Haydn at the vigil as he loved the rain.
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She said: "I'm sorry about the rain, Haydn loved the rain and wind so I feel like he's brought it despite it being a sunny day before. He's gathered us all together, new friends, old friends, complete strangers. He's raining on us just to say hey.
"Thank you all so much for your love and support, it's kept our family strong throughout the most challenging time of all of our lives. It still doesn't feel real to me, but it is.
"If we can put that warning out there to just be a little more aware when you are out in nature. Nature is beautiful, it's wonderful, it will entice you, but you have to respect it and you have to know your surroundings.
"Haydn is the most strong and competent swimmer, he was a climber, sailor on the British national squad, the fittest guy. He was just a little crazy caveman and if he can't survive swimming on the hottest day of the year in calm seas, who can survive that?
"I hope it is a warning we can spread. We found Haydn's body, we have our closure and some people will never have that. He's here with us now, I can feel it."
The vigil included with a touching two minutes applause for Haydn. Speakers played out a number of the 23-year-old's favourite songs and poems were also read out.
A huge search was launched by the Coastguard and lifeboat volunteers along with police and the fire service on the day Haydn went missing, but was called off at around 5pm on Wednesday, July 20 after 18 hours. Police found a body at the Pier Head, Liverpool, on Sunday, July 23, which was later confirmed to be Haydn by his family.
Donation buckets were on hand, with the money raised going to the RNLI, who played a huge role in the search for Haydn. A GoFundMe set up in the aftermath of the swimmer's disappearance has already raised nearly £2,000, which will be distributed between charities of the family's choosing and will contribute towards a memorial bench for Haydn.
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