www.itv.com/news/meridian/story/2017-03-06/kitesurfer-dies-after-being-caught-in-squall/
My condolences to his family and friends.
Squalls (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squall)
"A squall is a sudden, sharp increase in wind speed that is usually associated with active weather, such as rain showers, thunderstorms, or heavy snow. Squalls refer to an increase in the sustained winds over a short time interval, as there may be higher gusts during a squall event."
Gusts (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind#Measurement)
"Short burst of wind"
Squalls are the devils we have to look out for, and they can happen anywhere, anytime. Most likely when storm fronts are approaching.
NEVER, EVER KITE IN STORMS
In most kitesurfing fatalities, the exact circumstances and the actual cause of death are pretty vague. It's also the case here, we don't know much and probably never will.
I wouldn't be surprised, as with a lot of fatalities involving ''older'' kitesurfers that this 51 y/o kiter died due to a pre-existing heart condition.
Most if not all experienced kiters have been out in storm conditions and will continue to do that. It's not as safe, that's for sure, but the temptation will always be there.
The main thing is to have a full understanding of the risks invovled and accept them before going out. It's also critical to have proper safety training and be ready to activate any safety systems in a blink of an eye. That last factor alone can save the most lives IMO.
More than ever before, kiting attracts many 50 y/o + people. The risk of heart attacks increases significantly after the ages of 45-50 and much more after 60. In those cases I think it's more about knowing your physical and medical limits. In such storm conditions, kiting puts a huge stress on your body and most aren't prepared for that level of intensity.
After each major snow storm in Canada, many older people suffer from heart attacks just from shoveling snow, why ? because they have a pre-existing heart condition and they are simply not prepared for such an intense activity. The chances of surviving a heart attack while shoveling snow are pretty high, but surviving a heart attack while kiting in the Ocean is nearly impossible, most drown.
Heck, I'm not sure if I'll be kiting in storms when I'm over 50.
Christian
Totally agree, but I think in this case the kiter's lines wrapped around his legs and board - like that other video been posted recently. It could happen to anyone.
Any thoughts on cause of death at this stage are premature and just speculation. There's too many variables to say it was the squall, or his age and fitness, or he got his lines wrapped around his legs. For sure 9 degrees water temp, his wetsuit, age, a 12m kite in a squall, how was his QR rigged, did he pull it, did he have a knife are all factors that probably come into play.
Most likely the factors that caused it will be identified and put into a report for the coroner (or their UK equivalent) and a reasonable account of what happened will be pieced together. The reports are not normally confidential but no-one ever puts an FOI request in to see the final version so we'll probably never know.
There's not much on the net about this one yet except someone on Kiteforum saying it was a 12m kite and not a 15 and all the online news regurgitating the same media release from the sea rescue guys (RNLI?).
Just found this thread, kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/bad-news-hayling-64958?sid=e6bcbad3cf0d18d1c0ac8bd8f02e9318 Squalls gusting to 28-29 knots at the time, nasty on a big kite.
he was on 14m. And tbh a modern kite should be able to tolerate a 28 knot gust easily. The Switch nitro is supposidly useable up to 23 knots, so a 28 knot gust shouldnt even stop you from riding if you edge hard.
I think connected to the kite the best place to be when a squall hits is imho the water. You can bodydrag with the bottom steering line pulled and yes youll be moving fast but at least you won't die being dragged around on the beach.
I'm sure he died of something else. ....thinking possible heart attack secondary to stress from dealing with the squall.
Condolences to his family and friends
Love it how the experts on accidents want to view there take on another tragic accident, show some respect to his family and let the real facts come out and leave your opinions to yourselves.
Select to expand quoteKit3kat said..
he was on 14m. And tbh a modern kite should be able to tolerate a 28 knot gust easily. The Switch nitro is supposidly useable up to 23 knots, so a 28 knot gust shouldnt even stop you from riding if you edge hard.
I think connected to the kite the best place to be when a squall hits is imho the water. You can bodydrag with the bottom steering line pulled and yes youll be moving fast but at least you won't die being dragged around on the beach.
I'm sure he died of something else. ....thinking possible heart attack secondary to stress from dealing with the squall.
This post has it all,
its like home n away v sea breeze
I am 74 years old and started the kite at 67 after being a windsurfer since 1974, had in 2009 2 bypass and last year 4 stends and I kite every day when there is wind but always with the right size kite for the right wind
