Emotional scenes as hundreds paddle at Bondi to honour lives loss in mass shooting

Emotional scenes have unfolded at world-famous Bondi Beach after more than 700 people paddled into the water in memory of the 15 lives lost in a mass shooting.

Hundreds of mourners descended on the beach shortly after 6am on Friday.

Paddling out into the water, the group hope to “spread light, love, and connection through our shared love of the ocean and beautiful Bondi Beach”.

“Come together and honour the lives lost, pray for those on the journey to recovery, and express gratitude to our brave first responders,” organisers said.

“Diversity is our strength”.

Once out on the water, the paddlers held a minute’s silence.

Images from the beach revealed the scale of the event, which comes as Bondi slowly reopens to the public following Sunday’s terror attack.

A footbridge and adjacent park where the shooting took place reopened on Thursday afternoon.

Surf lifesavers are understood to have also paddled in from other beaches in solidarity.