Yep. Sounds like he hit his head on a rock in the shallows in the Cove. Wow. Certainly the other surfer who got in his way bears some responsibility - as an experienced surfer, Gerry would have just kicked out had they not collided.
People die from hitting their head in relatively mundane circumstances all the time. Liam Neeson's wife (Natasha Richardson?) hit her head on a bunny hill while learning to ski, and died hours later. Dr. Atkins of Atkins Diet fame slipped on the ice outside his office in NY and died. Wouldn't have mattered if the wave was small - getting unexpectedly launched off your board into the shallows anywhere could do it, if you land wrong.
RIP
