spanishnewstoday.com/bather-virtually-decapitated-by-windsurfer-in-gran-canaria_21894-a.html#.VbZVy4rEkaE

With the new trend of foils... Something to consider before coming close to shore..

Gruesome.

Happens a lot at Cottesloe where the Poleys hit mach3 on the shoreline and turn when people are having a bit of a paddle.

Wouldn't mind but they have their own area to pole dance further up at Dutchies.

Having the likes of wavelsave bopping around on theirold Bombora in a crowded area is a total recipe for carnage. Maybe a total ban on fins on windsurfing boards should be enforced. Or at least make them wear a TuTu and a pink helmet or even an orange whoopi light on their board when they are operating.

That is tragic. Wonder what virtually decapitated actually means.

Mental note, don't go snorkelling near high speed anything.

That is horrible

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Freddofrog said..

Mental note, don't go snorkelling near high speed anything.

Yeah man, I remember doing some drift diving a few years ago in Thailand and the spot where you surface was right in the middle of the transit channel. Scary **** even with a SMB when speed boats buzzing super close a warp speed.

Sad, but avoidable. poor windsurfer has to live with that...

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The area is designated for windsurfing and jetski use, as well as being an entry and exit point for sailing vessels, so snorkelling and swimming are prohibited in this particular zone.

Despite the tragic event, I have to say the Spanish newspaper article is objective and provides factual information from both sides and shows that neither party is to blame or at fault, something no Australian newspaper would ever do. I bet most of us would have thought the windsurfer at fault immediately.

Ultimately the wind surfer is at fault. Even though he was in a designated area he should still be aware of his environment and know there is nobody in his way. People snorkelling are easily visible 95% of the time. Had he been looking ahead appropriately he would have seen them.

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Gazuki said..
Yeah man, I remember doing some drift diving a few years ago in Thailand and the spot where you surface was right in the middle of the transit channel. Scary **** even with a SMB when speed boats buzzing super close a warp speed.

Popping up in the channel after getting lost while night diving freaks me out. Low on air so surface swam back. Not good.

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HighzaKite said..
Despite the tragic event, I have to say the Spanish newspaper article is objective and provides factual information from both sides and shows that neither party is to blame or at fault, something no Australian newspaper would ever do. I bet most of us would have thought the windsurfer at fault immediately.

Judging by the authors windsurfing knowledge they are obviously a keen windsurfer themselves. He/she would be already biased not wanting the fault to appear as being windsurfers in general.

That said, Oz media would have made it less factual and more personal and emotional. A Current Affairs "Windsurfer kills swimmer, are your kids safe?" type of BS.

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Plummet said..
Ultimately the wind surfer is at fault. Even though he was in a designated area he should still be aware of his environment and know there is nobody in his way. People snorkelling are easily visible 95% of the time. Had he been looking ahead appropriately he would have seen them.

One of the more dumber things I have read today but I guess the day is still young...

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Plummet said..
Ultimately the wind surfer is at fault. Even though he was in a designated area he should still be aware of his environment and know there is nobody in his way. People snorkelling are easily visible 95% of the time. Had he been looking ahead appropriately he would have seen them.

There's a bloke who turns up at my local and snorkels in a black wetsuit from time to time. With chop and the camouflage of his wetty (fair bit of sea-weed in places) he's very difficult to spot when standing on the beach let alone when kiting (and I'd assume windsurfing too).

My point is that snorkelers are not always easy to see. Tragic event, lets hope that we don't have another incident.

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Plummet said..
Ultimately the wind surfer is at fault. Even though he was in a designated area he should still be aware of his environment and know there is nobody in his way. People snorkelling are easily visible 95% of the time. Had he been looking ahead appropriately he would have seen them.

They are not easily visible. If you have wind you get a lot of chop on the water and if the sun is reflecting off it, it is very difficult to see a snorkeler - even if you were looking for them. I hit a wooden mast once - it was about 12' long. I didn't see it until I was almost on it and there was no way to avoid it. It ripped my fin box right through the tail of my windsurfer.

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RPM said..

Having the likes of wavelsave bopping around on theirold Bombora in a crowded area is a total recipe for carnage.

Dude, what don't you like about Bomboras ? ^^^^

Fark ;-[ RIP terrible
Could happen anywhere ?
Keeping our eyes open .