(KGTV) -- A San Diego man lost his life over the weekend, just one day after his friend's wedding.
Vimal Gopal lost his life swimming in the ocean off of Cabo.
On Thursday his friends spoke with 10News Anchor Brian Shlonsky about the man who never met a stranger, and loved people and fitness.
"Make sure to enjoy the simple things in life," said Gopal's friend Allan Cortes. "Because every day something - someone - is not guaranteed.”
With their love of fitness, Cortes and "Vim" became fast friends.
“I really take Vim’s generosity, his open-mindedness, his spirit of adventure, to always be the guy to say, ‘hey, let’s go try this," Cortes said.
It was no surprise that Vim would jump in the water over the weekdn while walking along the beach with seven of his friends.
A woman who was there didn't want to go on camera while reliving what happened that day. But she says Vim was pulled out to sea, and couldn’t fight his way back.
Rescue teams were called in— but it was too late.
"He had just bought his house," Cortes said. "He was living the American dream, he was working as a civilian with the Navy.”
Vim's friends say their tyring to take something — anything — positive away from his death.
"What I took from this is don’t take life for granted," Cortes said. "These things can happen to anyone."
That line about not taking things for granted? Turns out, Vim’s friends know it well. His last Instagram post showing him relaxing in Cabo - with the hashtag "Never take it for granted.”
Vim was also a member at Sparkcycle. They plan on holding a benefit ride to help his family in the coming weeks.
