Fatality at Belmont Shores - Sat 09/08/07
martin zoldano
has been a fatality at Belmont Shores on Saturday 09/08/07 afternoon.
There are rumours going around as to how it happened and who this kiter is.
I happened to be there all afternoon and I witnessed a commotion with
the local lifeguards and 2 rescue boats that were south of main kiting
area (almost by the jetty) for like an hour, most of the actions
looked like a normal rescue plus a ticket to some other kiters.
If anyone has any information regarding this incident please notify us
and the local kite shops.
We'll keep you posted and let's hope it wasn't negligence.
Regards.
--
Martin
gregoire texier
martin...@gmail.com
who called 911):
I was walking south along the beach when I noticed a kiter drop his
kite near the shore (about 20 yards from the beach and just south of
the Claremont launch ramp). There were children playing in the surf
down wind of the kite so I warned them of the danger. [At this time
the kite was drifting toward shore.] The kiter managed to relaunch his
kite but it looped and dropped back in the water. He (the kiter) then
appeared to be attempting to launch the kite again with the leading
edge pointing out (away from shore and swimmers)
Just then another kiter dropped his kite in the shore break just south
of where I was standing so I went to help this second kiter with his
kite. ( more potential danger to people on the beach ) After I helped
this second kiter launch his kite the first kiter had drifted farther
down wind (south) and offshore. While he did seem to be having
difficulty launching his kite, he did not seem to be in mortal danger.
I then went back to retrieve his board so he wouldn't have to walk
back up wind when he got to shore.
As I followed along the shore he became more difficult to see due to
the swell and distance (he was moving steadily offshore) but I thought
I could see him on the surface and there were several other kiters in
his vicinity. As he became more difficult to see I tried to find
kiters on the beach that might be able to sail out and give him a
hand. All the people around me were just learning so they were not
able to help.
About fifteen minutes after he first dropped his kite (could have been
ten could have been twenty) He was more than 100 yards offshore and
about 200 yards from the jetty. Another kiter sailed out to him
stopped for a short time and sailed quickly back to shore. As he came
near the beach, I don't know exactly what he said (it was difficult to
hear) but I understood he thought the person was dead and I should
call the lifeguard. I ran to the nearest house and asked the owners to
call 911.
martin...@gmail.com
http://www.youkiteboard.com/group_posts.php?urlkey=Belmont&gid=10&tid=18
martin...@gmail.com
been posted lately, it has been very hard to dig deep on this
incident, by now I'd like to finalize this forum thread with the
following (I'll try to be as concise as possible):
This has been a tremendous first time tragedy for the SoCal kiting
community.
I recently received a call from a reliable source who spoke with one
of the LB life guards and this is the report:
[1] The two boats we all saw that day rescued a small catamaran that
tipped over south of kiting area.
[2] Lee was found with no vital signs, facing down, bar still hooked
to harness, kite was still looping, rescuers managed to cut the lines
(explains as to why kite ended up in jetty).
[3] Lee's line marks were found on his torso area (not his neck as I
was informed initially and not his feet as afterwards).
[4] Their final assessment was an accident.
My PERSONAL theory after compiling all info, and after discussing
closely with local kiters: (Autopsy pending)
Lee struggled to relaunch his kite from the water, apparently now that
we know his bar was hooked to his harness this is an indication that
it may have not been technically an equipment malfunction (such as a
line snapped) otherwise 'common sense' he should have ejected if he
had a release pin (not sure if he had one).
By the time he realized relaunching would not happen then he may have
started swimming towards his kite to perform a self rescue as we're
all taught in our lessons right ? (I was told his kite did not have
5th line) in the middle of it he probably did not pay attention to
where the lines were, kite relaunched in the middle causing him to
tangle up pretty bad in his torso area and consequently we can only
imagine how bad it can go from there.
I'd have to think kiter skills play a role here in the confidence
factor, reaction time and panic level, and judgement, I can only say
that we're all different and for someone to probably pre-judge Lee's
actions is completely unfair.
There are too many things in the equation here, we will never know for
sure, the important thing out of this tragedy and our speculations is:
what can we learn as a more conscious community?
[1] Safety, safety, safety, we all should know what that means and
what it envolves.
[2] One thing that I noticed in Belmont is that there are 4 life guard
trucks and 1 paddle board on north tower, most of the actions happen
in the water with people learning, if there's something wrong going on
away from shore a long paddle board will not do!!, they need to get
accordingly a jet sky and anchor it in the water, so it's ready to
assist anyone fast or patrol kiting area closely all the time.
[3] Calling 911 and having the rescue boats come out of the marina or
wherever they're at seems to be very impractical, it takes too long
and pray God if they're not already out assisting some other incident
at the same time( like we now know 2 of them were busy with that
catamaran).
[4] Provide free kite clinics on self and others rescues. (Francis +
Diane are working on it)
Finally I keep stressing we all need to get together on this and start
acting proactively for the sake of the safety of our sport and what I
mean by that is reconciling geographical efforts, promoting www.scka.org,
regulating rules, getting involved with life guards and attend their
meetings, providing kite clinics, etc,etc so tragic incidents such as
this one could be prevented to the best extent.
Giles, Faycal, Diane, Francis, Victor, Martin H, and everyone
involved, thanks fo all your efforts + support, please be advised that
the SoCal crew is always there to help in anyway possible. Let's get
that memorial + safety clinic going, it's a great idea!. Thanks again.
To the SoCal crew: let's show our support and participate!
Regards.