The man behind organising a mass tribute for missing 5-year-old Jack Dixon on Sunday says he hopes the gesture will help grieving family members know they are not alone.
And a Facebook page dedicated to the young Lego and rugby fan shares the same message.
Papamoa surfer Brett Morrison said he did not know the family but news of Jack's disappearance had shocked and upset him as well as the local surfing community, who were wanting to do something to help.
Mr Morrison said he hoped the mass paddle-out would help provide some solace for grieving family and community members.
"It's just something I thought of doing, just something with some local surfers to really get behind the family by going out for a paddle and paying respects to the young fella and the sea that took him," he said.