Teen Cale Wills, who died swimming at Christchurch beach, was getting ready to start university

The teen who died while swimming at a Christchurch beach was just about to start university.

Cale Wills, 19, was swimming at Southshore Beach, Christchurch last Thursday when he was reported missing in the water about 3.10pm.

The next day, his body was found by a member of the public at the south bank of Southshore Beach.

Cale Wills' body was found by a member of the public at the south bank of Southshore Beach.

Hagley College principal Rowan Milburn told the Herald Wills had spent the past year trying to “figure out what he was doing career-wise”.

“That’s one of the really sad and tragic parts, he was just getting ready to start at the University of Canterbury to do a Bachelor of Science [in] chemistry,” Milburn said.

“It had only just become clear what he wanted to do, and it just makes it even more tragic that he won’t get that opportunity.”

Cale Wills. 19, went missing from Southshore Beach in Christchurch’s east on January 23, 2025. Photo / George Heard

Milburn described Wills as a “much loved and very popular young man”.

His tangi, held today, was a testament to this, drawing a crowd of at least 300, according to Milburn.

The body of the 19-year-old swimmer was located on the beach at Southshore, Christchurch last Friday. Photo / George Heard

The search for Wills

Last Thursday, Surf Life Saving New Zealand said Taylor’s Mistake, Sumner, North Beach and New Brighton search and rescue squads joined police, Hato Hone St John and the Coastguard to search the area for the teen.

Volunteers on two rescue vessels from Coastguard Sumner – Hamilton Jet Rescue and Blue Arrow Rescue – and a jetski, Bruce Dawn Rescue, had also joined the search.

Wills' body was carried off the beach last Friday by a large group of his family, joined by police officers. Photo / George Heard

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) said surf lifeguards located the body at about 6.20am.

“The team at Surf Life Saving New Zealand extends our heartfelt condolences to the whānau and friends of the deceased. We are providing support to the surf lifesavers involved,” SLSNZ said.

Wills’ body was carried off the beach last Friday by a large group of his family, joined by police officers.