Newsflash

Kitesurfing tragedy at Milnerton

Yet again we morn the tragic death of a well known local Kitesurfer at Milnerton River Mouth on Saturday afternoon.We all know that the North Westers are gusty and often come with sqwalls. The wind was averaging 15knots gusting 22. A sudden squall came through gusting up to 35knots at times with heavy sheets of rain. The majority of the kitesufers on the water tried to delaunch their kites. Tragically one kitesurfer not to be named at this point due to family members being notified first, was trying to delaunch his kite on the beach in front of the Hotel on Milnerton mouth. Unfortunately he hurriedly tried to dump his kite without assistance. He misjudged the distance and landed his kite over the pathway onto the Hotel grass facing the sea. Obviously realizing he was to close to the hotel he tried to bring his kite back up again. It caught the gust and lifted him off the beach and slammed him into the only rock along the pathway, causing fatal internal injuries to his chest and head. He was wearing a helmet at the time. His kite was later found on top of the hotel roof caught up in TV Arial.
To all those kitesurfers on the beach at the time, thank you for all your support and to the gentleman who desparately tried to revive the Kitesurfer with mouth to mouth.
Our hearts go out to his wife and family and close friends.
There are so many lessons to be learned from this tragic accident.
I can only start naming a few. NW are gusty and onshore. Only experienced Kitesurfers should challenge these conditions. Check your gear and make sure you know where your quick release is. Forget the kite and save your life.
Please do not use this topic to discuss what we should be doing or what we can do, but please respect those who have lost a loved one and a friend and post your condolences on this forum.
 

South Easter Weekend

Good morning from a Turquoise Blue Atlantic Ocean. The weekend delivered some promising kiting......and after WP took a turn for the worse, some fellow kiters would not have known because they enjoyed Witsands. Our National Sport Rugby / Sonskyn en Boerwors......does not apply. Sunday morning was another challenge.....the SE Windows / doors were opened False Bay was looked like The Met & Durban July combined with all the white horses in the bay. I do know that all the spots were firing from Muizenberg to Cape Point. Some feedback : A few "Mal Kiters" took off to Dunes 3 -4ft / 35 - 40 knot SE Offshore. Bru these Okes are insane.....or they have a lot of cash for new kites....but let me tell you they say when it is good it is epic... Fish Hoek came into the spot light....and a great session was held there. Tammy Rutherford took a tumble in the washing machine....kite down and a swim again was the order of the day. Tammy informed he that he is getting good at this now after his ordeals at Witsands / Misty Cliffs. Received now news from Muizenberg...... Our Noordhoek Stalwarts took a trip to Blouberg but were disappointed with the outcome....sunburnt & No wind .....
 

October 2008

Can you believe it October is upon us.....all other sports booming, Cape Odyssey, Mountain Bike Races / Cyclists getting ready for the Argus 2009. Rugby going into the Finals.....and so waht about Kiting......yeah where has the wind been. The whales have arrived in an abundance False Bay & the Atlantic Seaboard much to the delight of locals and tourists. Back to kiting.....just a moment yours truly and my stalwart German friend Gotz have been surfing a lot. Sporadic news came in from sources - a puff here and a puff there. Kiters took full use of the wind and the Outer Kom was ridden on Sunday by Patrice, Gary & Mandy. The other folk took to Witsands and had a mellow kite......emphasis on the mellow, the 13m were dusted off and fresh air blown into these huge kites. So the past few days the SE has made its appearance but the coastal low pressure on the horizon has caused a lot of gusts and turbulence. NB - the was a recent mail doing its rounds involving the NSRI.....please respect this and inform them of your whereabouts should there have been a call abd you dumped / lost your kite at sea.
Have a swell day
Andre
   
Call us with SKYPE: surfstore.africa

Deep South Kiteclub