Windsurfer dies at Golden Gate

[turguz]

Anybody knows more?
http://www.ktvu.com/news/21013066/detail.html

[Loscocco]

It was an older (60s+) man named Brett who went out around 4 pm and I saw his windsurfing rig floating out to sea just east of the South Tower at about 4:30 with out anyone near it. Another kiter spotted his body and then a sailboat was flagged down to call the CG. Coast Guard, Police, Fire Dept and Choppers spent quite a while looking for him as it was an EXTREMELY strong ebb (4.7 knots) and finally was found several hours later about 2 miles out past the bridge.
Its not sure how he died but some think it may have been a heart attack or something.
Quite sad.

http://www.iwindsurf.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=18898

[turguz]

Just saw it on tv too. They were saying he didn't carry a radio or any other safety gear. Plus the board i saw CG pulled out looked pretty old. Lessons for all of us...

[stone]

Shit.

More info here: http://www.iwindsurf.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=18898

[Tony Soprano]

We talked to him about an hour before we all went out, awfull to be out on the water and someone drowns or introuble and not be able to help.
The news reports says someone on the bridge called in a floating windsurf rig missing a rider. the news media also first aired there reports as a kiter dead.

A guy on a black with pink struts 12m north kite saw the body floating face up at the south tower and the board was in the windshadow of the south tower.
Well the north rider shouted to me at the mid span to call the coast guard it was ebbing so hard and being lit, I went over to a sail boat and asked them to call the coast guard.

He was 60+ drove an old fullsize van banana yellow with dark red stripe, grey beard...his board was a Fanatic Cat..

Could have been medical...he was rescued several times this summer...and windsurfers... advised him..re ....conditions at Crissy...

That said...I will be upgrading my lifejacket...

[Greg]

We talked to him about an hour before we all went out, awfull to be out on the water and someone drowns or introuble and not be able to help.
The news reports says someone on the bridge called in a floating windsurf rig missing a rider. the news media also first aired there reports as a kiter dead.

A guy on a black with pink struts 12m north kite saw the body floating face up at the south tower and the board was in the windshadow of the south tower.
Well the north rider shouted to me at the mid span to call the coast guard it was ebbing so hard and being lit, I went over to a sail boat and asked them to call the coast guard.

He was 60+ drove an old fullsize van banana yellow with dark red stripe, grey beard...his board was a Fanatic Cat..



Could have been medical...he was rescued several times this summer...and windsurfers... advised him..re ....conditions at Crissy...

That said...I will be upgrading my lifejacket...

Sad news- R.I.P..

As a note on lifejacket's, You know they make those inflatable jackets that are very low profile and some even have radio pockets, strobe lights etc.. built into them.

Warm Winds, L.M.G.

[turguz]

i have a low-profile jacket for sailing (with strobe) - but those are auto-inflatable when you fall in. being submerged is what turns them on. there are models that you can pump or engage yourself, but probably not a good idea in a case of loss of consciousness.

[Tony Soprano]

This guy started showing up at Crissy maybe a couple of months ago and it was pretty clear that he did not have a very high skill level. In those two months, he has been rescued time after time. Various regulars have spoken to him indicating that maybe he should be sailing at places like Berkeley and Candlestick to get his skill set down. Also, people had commented that the age of his gear was also a potential risk as well. He was not going to take the advice.

The conditions on Saturday were as difficult as they get at Crissy. The wind was super gusty, it was almost a 5 knot ebb, and it was literally like sailing inside a washing machine. It absolutely sucks what happened yesterday but it is a reminder that sailing at Crissy is not to be taken lightly. Know your abilities and limitations. Carry a marine radio. Sail with others. Make sure your gear is in good working order.

Taken from the windsurfing forum...this applies to kite surfers too.......

[Greg]

i have a low-profile jacket for sailing (with strobe) - but those are auto-inflatable when you fall in. being submerged is what turns them on. there are models that you can pump or engage yourself, but probably not a good idea in a case of loss of consciousness.

I have a tube type inflatable life vest, pull a rip cord and puff a tube fills around your head and neck...
My "jacket" is NOT a "REAL" life vest but it will keep your head above water if you just lay on your back. It also has a pocket to put my radio... No Strobe but it's bright yellow.

These vests are VERY small and pretty cheap, I think mine cost less then $50 and I cant even tell it's on. After about a year I pulled the cord to test it, no problems. They also have little tubes to full by mouth if the canister fails.

L.M.G.

[feixaq]

I'm very interested in getting a low-profile life vest with strobe, whistle, and straps/pockets (e.g. for marine radio). Where's the best place to get one of these? West Marine?