A man who died in an early morning crash at Picton on Saturday has been identified as Thirroul surfer Ty Delaney, who is being remembered as a "legend of a bloke".
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The 26-year-old died at the scene, when the ute he was driving collided head-on with a vehicle towing a boat on Picton Road, just before 6am.
Mr Delaney was an established artist who went by the name "Fangs", with work appearing in the Wonderwalls Street Art festival and commissions for surfboard shapers, schools, cafes and restaurants.
He was part of the Sandon Point Boardriders and known for being a "larger than life personality who touched everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him".
"A naturally talented surfer whose skills flowed over to his chosen trade of carpentry," Karl Lavis from the club told the Mercury.
"Loyal, hard as nails but always up for a joke and good for a laugh.
"Ty will be dearly missed by the surfing community."
Christian De Clout from Scarborough Boardriders told the Mercury it was a "tragic loss for the northern suburbs community".
"Our club is sending our sincere thoughts to all his family and friends," he said.
Thirroul's DP Surfboards owner Dylan Perese posted an Instagram story on Saturday, with a picture of Mr Delaney and the words: "RIP you special soul".
"Not only a legend of a bloke, but super talented as well," he wrote. "You will be missed."
"He was a passionate young surfer, spent a lot of time surfing Sandon Point his local break, he was liked in the water, always had a smile on and always had an air of warmth and vibrancy," Mr Perese told ABC Illawarra
"He was also a talented artist who had worked for our company over the years, he was well noted for his art work.
"He was a special young bloke, well liked around the community, another tragic loss of beautiful young life taken too early."
Elsewhere on Facebook tributes flowed for Mr Delaney, who was "the brother I never had", according to Olivia Tinker.
Best mate Jake Oliver posted several photos on Instagram, as the pair "had a connection like no-one else".
"You were the best person I ever met," Mr Oliver said.
"RIP to one of my oldest friends ... you will never be forgotten and I will cherish our memories for as long as I live. Rest easy sweet angel," posted Chloe Cooper on Facebook.
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