Kiteboarder Steve Johnson died at Siletz Bay Today 4/2

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

I met Steve Johnson about a year and half ago at Siletz Bay. He's a super stoked 62 year old surfer / kiteboarder. He lived in Dundee and kited whenever he could. Steve's kite skills scared me a little at first, but he got better and I enjoyed seeing him on the beach. He always brought a positive attitude no matter was the situation was.

He is survived by Lisa Johnson of Dundee as far as I know.

... what happened:
It was a beautiful lightwind day at Siletz today, patchy clouds, blue sky, water turqurios, tide in, but heading out against the wind with a NWW wind - almost never happens. Steve and Vadem (Validator) showed up today around the same time - noonish - just in time for it to start picking up for some descent light wind kiting. They flagged me down and I came in and chatted. Steve was just back from kiteboarding in Hawaii! Everyone rigged for the lightwind butter - first day of real spring kiting for me.

Vadem & I got out (9m, 13m respectively) - and Steve was on the beach rigging his 14m. I rode several tacks West - East along the North shore of Kernville (toward Bayhouse) in the shallows - I was showing off for the tourists - when I noticed that Steve's kite was inverted on my right.

Steve had just launched of the NW tip of Kernville and was about 40 ft out in shallow water (2 - 3 ft deep). I thought the inverted kite was just Steve having an issue and I thought that he'd handle it, but then I looked down his lines and didn't see him - at that point I realized he was laying in the water not moving.

I was about 100 yards East and didn't have any room left between me and the beach to tack to him, so I went as far I could till I hit the shore and pulled the release ditching the kite in the driftwood. Took off running toward Steve. A local on shore was watching Steve launch and at this point was running out into the water to get him.

Steve's kite was still in the air when I got there, so I pulled the release and we dragged him on the beach. We started doing CPR on him, and a lady showed up and started giving rescue breaths. Vadem got there and help drag him fully out of the water and position him. Someone called 911 and the police arrived after about 5 mins, followed by the paramedics about 5 mins later.

They took him off to the Lincoln City hospital and we packed our gear & headed up about a half later. A doctor took us in a side room and told us that despite our efforts that Steve did not make it. He said that Steve likely had had a massive heart attack or stroke from a blood clot that lodged in his lungs from the plane ride to Hawaii.

Ultimately, Steve died doing what he loved, on an excellent day, with his fellow kiters around him.

What I'm taking away from this is:
#1 Know how to do CPR - because I knew that needed compressions, but wasn't sure of the timing or depth. Given the situation, I don't feel that would have made a difference, but I want to be sure of what I'm doing for next time. When the shit hits the fan you gotta know what to do.

#2 ALWAYS KITE WITH A BUDDY. In this case it didn't help, but at least we gave him a chance.

Shitty way to start the season.

Btw: To any locals in LC, I left my Slingshot handle pass leash setup as a self launch on the usual self launch stump just as you get on the beach. I was a little stressed out and forgot it when packing up. So if you want it, grab it.

Please be careful and always kite with a buddy.

~Aaron

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

I didnt know him. but he was still one of us.
Good points and way to come through on such a rough day Aaron . Unfortunately its not a day you will soon forget.

-May you have warm winds on your journey brother Steve.

Peace, e

Vladiator · Since 06 Jun 2009 252 Posts Napels FL Obsessed

I wish we could have done something more to save him!

Steve RIP Brother.

NNW20-25 · Since 14 Apr 2008 5 Posts Lincoln City, Oregon Kook

Steve was a good kiting and surfing friend. He was dedicated to improving his kite skills even after his first lesson that left him more than a little frustrated. He didn't let that stop him. Steve was out on The Bay practicing his skills with every opportunity. He progressed to where he could stay upwind, and was able to make seamless transitions. I was looking forward to getting him out in the waves this Summer to put his two passions together-kiting and surfing.
I saw him out on The Bay from the cliffs above Spanish Head apparently just minutes before he died. Looked like he was having a good time.

Take Care Steve. We'll hit the waves in another life, Brother.

P.S.
I looked for your handlepass leash but did not see it. Sorry.

Stetson05 · Since 06 Sep 2010 26 Posts

Reaper356, I teach CPR and as long as you pushed hard and fast you probably did the best almost anyone could with what you had. Working in the ER I see people die often and if I was my time to go I would want to go like he did.

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

You know you're part of a community when you've never met someone and yet you feel the loss when they're gone. Hawaii and kiting - we're almost brothers already.

Beautiful description of the day's events. I wish you guys well.

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 901 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

Wow!

That is such sad news. I had met him a couple of times and he was so stoked on kiting and learning a new and exciting sport.

I would like to think his last thoughts and feelings were the thrills of skimming across the water as board and kite gained speed.

My condolences to his family and friends, he was a super nice person.

RIP Steve....

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Sorry to hear about this. Thank you for taking the time to tell us about it Aaron, sorry you had to go through that. I am definitely taking some CPR training now...

Bettyboarder · Sat Apr 02, 11 9:42 pm

I am so sorry to hear about Steve. Big loss to the kiting community.

Here are some CPR instructions although taking a class is much better

http://firstaid.about.com/od/cpr/ht/06_cpr.htm

specialk · Guest

Aaron & Vlad I'm so inspired by your valiant efforts today! Not only is the effort and care you brought to Steve difficult in the best of conditions, but while kiting, lifesaving can become an almost impossible task. Skilled first responders or not, statistically the end result is often similar without immediate EMS response, defibrillation, AND advanced airways. Survival rates for WITNESSED cardiac events WITH EMS response are about 30%.

Studies have repeatedly shown the importance of immediate response by bystanders. However most bystanders don't come equipped with much more than their own hands, hence CPR. Truly, it is the advand airway and defibrillation within 3-5" of an OBSERVED collapse which improves survival. Unfortunately beyond a 3-5" response time survival rates average 1-2%. Statistics are not on our sides, but we do what we can, and you two did!!!

So just know Aaron @ Vlad, that you did the best anybody could do in that situation and that's all anybody could ask! Thank you for posting your description of the event.

I'm confident the family will find great comfort in knowing how you cared for Steve in
the final moments before his passing. And I hope we can all find comfort in knowing
that people care, and he passed doing something he loved!

Nak · Sun Apr 03, 11 12:06 am

I'm so sorry to hear this. You just never know if today is your last day here. It's an inspiration that Steve was living life to it's fullest right up to the end.

gorgebob · Since 25 Jun 2007 259 Posts Portland, OR Shop Owner

Sad news. Tough day for anyone, even the most prepared. Prayers go out to all.

Kruse · Since 21 Oct 2005 63 Posts

Very sad. The quick reactions gave him his best chance at pulling through but it wasn't meant to be.
Condolences to his family and friends.
RIP

Navanod · Since 20 Feb 2007 207 Posts Beaverton Stoked

This is sad news. Condolences to his family and friends. Like others have mentioned, it's good to hear he died doing what he loved.

mikedetata · Since 03 Apr 2011 1 Posts New Member

I knew Steve for almost 20 years from surfing in Santa Cruz. Not only was he a great friend, he was a great role model and mentor. We were part of a very close group of friends who dawn patrolled the breaks north of Santa Cruz. I got the news of his passing at 6 am this morning just as I pulled up to surf one of our favorite spots north of santa cruz.

He was a true family man and is survived by his wife Lisa and three kids Matt, Jenna and Shannon.

He was also very passionate about shaping his own surfboards and taught me how shape about 12 years ago. Not long after he moved to Oregon, we did a surf trip to southern mexico's sand bottom point breaks and the only boards we brought were our old school fishes that we shaped. Steve spent half the trip behind the video camera and made a short movie about the trip. Just goes to show what kind of unselfish person he was.

I have so many fond memories of surfing with him and feel blessed to have known him. He was always so calm even in crazy situations. I took him and another friend Rus on a hiking trip to a point break in Humbolt County which requires a nine mile hike in. That night two bears came right up to our tents sniffing for food. The bears were sniffing our tents and Steve was like "hey guys check out these bears, they are so cool". I was almost peeing in my sleeping bag!

Another time we were surfing alone at the mouth of a big estuary north of san francisco and were having an incredible time. Next thing we knew about 200 yards in front of us a seal got absolutely mauled by a great white shark. There was nobody else around and it was at least a 45 minute walk to the car. Steve calmly said "Mike, I think we should paddle in now". We had to paddle to the beach then paddle about 500 yards across the estuary mouth. We were looking for fins the entire way!

Reading the other posts I am not surprised he made friends up in Oregon so quickly. He was such a nice guy how could you not like him. Thanks to the kiteboarders who tried what they could to save him.

A few of us are coming up to Oregon for the service. Hopefully we get to meet some of his Oregon surfing and kiteboarding buddies, drink some beers and celebrate knowing one of the nicest and genuine guys on the west coast.

Mike Detata

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

Very sad news.
Condolences to Steve's family. It sounds like he was a great guy.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2620 Posts The 503 METAL