<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The family of a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/shark-attack-surfer-wa-esperence/f26195fa-7c42-4fda-ac7a-2d591dbb9527" rel="" target="_blank" title="keen surfer who died after being attacked by a shark"><span>keen surfer who died after being attacked by a shark</span></a><span> off a Western Australian beach have paid tribute to the "gentle giant".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Steven Payne, who was originally from New Zealand but was living in Melbourne, and his girlfriend were five weeks into a six-month caravan trip around Australia when they stopped at Wharton Beach in Condingup, east of Esperance, on Monday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 37-year-old was surfing in chest-deep water when he was attacked by a shark in front of onlookers.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/indigenous-boys-accused-killer-told-officers-i-was-attacked-first-court-hears/e22eda98-000d-4853-b8e2-41ec7f6e8a75" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>'I was attacked first': Indigenous boy's accused killer</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Witnesses reported hearing screams and, after a few minutes, all that remained was a surfboard floating about 30 metres from shore.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Payne was suspected dead and police scoured the waters to retrieve his body but were forced to call off the search today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tonight, his family issued a statement saying they were "devastated to have lost Steve" and that he was "one of the best".</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/wa-wharton-beach-shark-attack-devastated-family-pay-tribute-to-surfer-killed/a64dd9c2-5168-48fb-80c8-30638ad2f403" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"A gentle giant at 6ft4, he was smart, kind, funny, laid back and very practical," his family said in a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"While he wasn't a man of many words, he loved his partner deeply, cherished his family, thought the world of his best mates, and was devoted to his dog."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/more-than-half-of-firsthome-buyers-considering-rentvesting/c14d7874-7436-432a-939e-fa6f0bb14370" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>More than half of first home buyers considering 'rentvesting'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Payne and his girlfriend had been together for 12 years and adopted their dog Poppy seven years ago. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was a keen surfer, a touch rugby player, volunteer firefighter and a respected colleague. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Just a week ago, Steve surfed one of the best waves of his life, sharing the wave with a dolphin. He was stoked," his family said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Shark culling calls emerged after this week's attack, but Payne's family said he would not have supported it.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Steve would not support a shark cull or any attempt to kill the shark responsible. He and his partner spent a lot of time in the ocean together, had enjoyed many dives with sharks and knew the risks," his family said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><strong><span>Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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