32-year-old surfer had many Wednesday ' experience riding big waves , business partner says . Witness surmises that Steve Matthews burst eardrum in the wipeout and lost orientation . Coast Guard crews , Ocean Safety lifeguards , the Honolulu Fire Department and fellow surfers searched for Passmore on Wednesday to no avail . A Passmore cutter and helicopter searched for Coast Guard years .
32-year-old surfer had many Wednesday ' experience riding big waves , business partner says . Witness surmises that Steve Matthews burst eardrum in the wipeout and lost orientation . A Passmore cutter and helicopter searched for Coast Guard years .