Belmont Shore Fatality

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

No real details as of yet, but here is the article:

http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_6847394

KiteForum Thread:

http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2341892

kss · Since 24 Apr 2006 613 Posts pdx Addicted

totally sucks!! caught my eye b/c this is where i first took lessons thru captain kirks back in 01. i'll be interested if and when more details surface. condolences to the family. i also sold a 7m waroo to a guy down there last fall. glad the guy wasn't on a green 7m waroo!!

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2025 Posts Windward

Just the day before yesterday
our buddy Wild Bill was telling me this story.
Who Is a part time Huntington Beach resident
Rescued 3 kids at Bolsa Chica
It was when they had that big south swell (10 minute interval)
last winter and some fishermen were swept off the jetty and never found.

There was a big rip being generated with the big swell coming in
He said he could see the rip it was very choppy and confused sea state and also brown as it was sucking everything off the shore
He watched as 3 small Asian young men probably about 13 -15 yrs. old
jumped in with boogy boards
within seconds there were out a 1/4 mile
with the sea state they couldn't keep on thier boards and were swimming against the current
he went to them quickly and told them how to stay on thier boards (in front not underneath)
The 2 older boys were in better shape and he told them to swim out of the rip ,the other boy was having a very difficult time and appeared to be drowning, he told the youngest one to grab his harness and not let go
after a while they approached the shore the other 2 had already landed
when they hit the surfline the boy went up and over his head and landed on his strings.He then let go and the other boys came out and got him.
The younger boy he said appeared to be somewhat handicapped
they all sat down and where crying and so glad to be alive.

Quite a scene I'm sure, about then the beach patrol showed up and Bill asked them if he knew about the rip he said yes but he was doing something else .
I guess the moral of this event is that even in the sunny Ca. it's pretty dangerous when the sea stands up.
And also Bill is one of the nicest people on this planet

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1210 Posts Seaside BRACKISH

Wow Blowhard, great story and kudos to your friend. I lived in socal for several years and have had scary moments similar to your story. Because of its sunny disposition, it is easy to get a false sense of security there. If in doubt, sit on the beach for 20-30 minutes before rigging/going out. That short amount of time can tell a lot about what to expect ... a flat ocean can turn huge and nasty fast.

You all know this I'm sure. Smile

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

I was almost one of these stories this weekend.

Got too far out chasing puffs in light wind, and found a hole. The kite was pulling me out to sea, and I was so wrapped up in lines after 3 quick outside breaks smashed on top of me while trying to rescue, I had to ditch everything and swim and body surf for my life. Got to shore barely breathing and saw 2 more trying to get in as well. Ran out and grabbed what I could for them to let them focus on swimming. My 5mil was floating me ok, but I sure would have liked to be able to surface faster in the big outside break. A couple of times, I had doubt that I was going to have enough air to make it back up to oxygen land.

Do you regular surf kiters wear any flotation? Any safe recommendations? I thought about trying to get free of lines with a jacket on, and not sure which would have been worse. As it was, my harness was causing enough problems.

I can tell you, that once I had ditched the kite, I was sure missing it... a wave finally caught it and drug it in, and I kept thinking, "If I just had hold of the bar, I'd be in shore by now".

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1210 Posts Seaside BRACKISH

Nice Tiny E! A good swim and puke is such a character builder... had a few of those myself. Oh sweet land!

Extra floatation is good and common around the N coast & speaking personally, I NEVER let go of my kite when I go down outside (unless is it hooked to you or something else and taking you down), or in the break. At worst, grab the connection of where your leash is attached, THEN let go of the bar b/c sometimes those chincy leashes either break or the clasp comes undone.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Great Stories blowhard and Elvis!

Also had some excitement this weekend. Dropped my kite in about a half mile out at Newport - almost got it relaunched but one wingtip popped through my bridle on the Warpoo - got some pinwheel of death but was able to unhook just before a monster ate the rig - was dragged about 30yrd underwater before I was able to disconnect the leash from my hip. Choked down about a gallon of water - sorta felt like drowning.

Somehow managed to hang on to my SRT surfboard. Never been so happy to watch to whole rig blow away. Highlight of the day, was body surfing the SRT on a nice overhead most of the way to the beach.

Shout out to Kitetele - who stopped and grabbed my rig - said he was concerned when he saw it blow by without anyone in site - nice that the bruthers got your back.

Terrible about the accident in Belmont - Belmont is usually protected from any swell from islands just offshore - usually a perfect begginer spot - huge beach and flat water - wonder what happened.

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

SUper sad to hear about this!!!! Sad

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1210 Posts Seaside BRACKISH

Well that all contradicts what I said so I guess there are all types of solutions depending on many different factors and circumstances. I like to be drug in personally. Manzo is a great example. On big days, there is an outside break and inside beach bomb. In between is a no man's land that is very scary. If you are swimming w/o anything (surf board/kite/etc), it is close to imposible to swim in.

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

MIXWELL · Mon Sep 10, 07 11:40 am

Glad to hear it worked out okay for you Elvis, you looked really spooked when I talked to you and I don't blame ya either. That shit is totally scary!
Their was some great wind later in that afternoon I was looking for you but i figured you probroably took it easy after that. Did you ride on Sunday at all? The PONDS were SicK Very Happy

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

The Ocean is so beautiful but when you drop your kite in a lull things can become very interesting in the impact zone.

Thanks for helping me too
Very Happy

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Posted on the kiteforum:

http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2341892&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=20

This was sent to me

Here's a good witness description of what happened from shore (christy
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.

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
____Sunday, Sep 09, 2007

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

wow great thread! some good survival (and sad non-survival) stories.

i sometimes wonder when i hear of guys riding in the ocean with 3 mil or even shorties. it's all fun and games until you go for a big swim. the wetsuit is there to help you survive a mishap.

glad to hear you and your crew made it out ok tinye.

broadbandito · Since 26 Apr 2005 342 Posts CSO headwaters WheatHead

Sad story. I certainly try to protect others by maintaining ballast on a kite when people nearby downwind, but being a wuss I'd ditch my kite in a heartbeat if I was quickly losing ground offshore and couldn't relaunch.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2025 Posts Windward

I think the trickiest part of Kite---Surfing

Is big kites and big waves