Tragic news - 2 people drown trying to carry kites across river mouth.
My condolences to family and friends - RIP
kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2392522
Take care people, it can happen when least expected.
Such a sad story... 
.
This could have happened with or without kite though, not really a typical "kiteboarding death" of sorts... You see a similar thing in fast moving currents the world over. This is super sad but I'm sure it will only push the area to be policed more than it already is (it's already illegal to kite there, at least it was when I was there).
I think this story really brings to light how important it is to learn to swim competently and always be wiling to sacrifice ones gear before yourself. So sad to think if they had just let their kites go they might have been ok .
You should really know the facts before dishing out advice after such a tragic event & as such I find your comments extremely insensitive & distasteful. Your knowledge of the situation is obviously based on assumption. The facts will come to light in the coming days & you will see that your assumptions are wrong. As a result of this tragedy the kiteboarding community in Tarifa is totally devastated & already campaigning for year-round rescue services on Los Lances.
Tonight, as last night, I will be mourning the loss of the beautiful shining light of Tereza Jelínková.
Select to expand quotesir ROWDY said..
Such a sad story... .
This could have happened with or without kite though, not really a typical "kiteboarding death" of sorts... You see a similar thing in fast moving currents the world over. This is super sad but I'm sure it will only push the area to be policed more than it already is (it's already illegal to kite there, at least it was when I was there).
I think this story really brings to light how important it is to learn to swim competently and always be wiling to sacrifice ones gear before yourself. So sad to think if they had just let their kites go they might have been ok .
Reading through the eyewitness accounts by all means it was accidental death by mis adventure. Traversing a fast moving stream without carrying stuff is difficult but with all your kite gear is foolhardy. I agree not a kitesurfing accident. But something to learn by. A sad day for Tarifa in any case and of course for family and friends.
RIP.
One of the first things that surprised me when moving from WA to Sunny Coast was the speed and power of the tides found in the Rivers and at Happy Valley.
You don't ever notice tidal movement in Perth on the Swan River
Very dangerous. It would be so easy to get caught out.
We don't really know anything about the facts yet but it sounds really incredible to me what happened by reading the local newspapers. The story says that they twisted their kites and then suddenly drawn in the water because not able to activate the security system because all lines were tangle into their bodies. What a tragedy and what a bad dead, honestly speaking.A third kiter went there to rescue them and he got also their lines tangled and he was also dying but luckily he got rescued in time.
The problem is not what they have done, in a place like Tarifa where tons of kiters show up every year there should be in place a good and well organized rescue system with jetscooters, boats and lifeguard while in Tarifa there is nothing like that, it is pure anarchy like Marocco or Cape Verde, and this is the real problem.
Select to expand quoteMelbossa said..
You should really know the facts before dishing out advice after such a tragic event & as such I find your comments extremely insensitive & distasteful. Your knowledge of the situation is obviously based on assumption. The facts will come to light in the coming days & you will see that your assumptions are wrong. As a result of this tragedy the kiteboarding community in Tarifa is totally devastated & already campaigning for year-round rescue services on Los Lances.
Tonight, as last night, I will be mourning the loss of the beautiful shining light of Tereza Jelínková.
I was only going off what I'd read online and heard from some people who were close to the situation, very sorry if what I've heard was incorrect. I by no means meant any disrespect by it. I only want to help gain awareness to situations like this in the hope that other kiters lives may be spared in the future.
Many kiters lives around the world are lost un-nessisarily every year, the more we can talk and learn about these issues the more lives can be saved. We've lost a few of our own in Australia and those situations have proved very important in helping us understand how to minimise the risk better into the future.
Very sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with family and friends .
Select to expand quoteDave Whettingsteel said..
I don't think what you said was disrespectful sir rowdie.
I feel bad anyway .
Select to expand quotesir ROWDY said...Dave Whettingsteel said..
I don't think what you said was disrespectful sir rowdie.
I feel bad anyway .
It's a horrible event, whatever comments and thoughts people have.
I don't think you should beat yourself up at all.
I imagine the person who responded was understandably distressed.
Your points about being a competent swimmer and willingness to ditch your equipment if in a risky situation were ok and best to be put out there for consideration
RIP
I can't understand how you can get tangled up with lines when they are wound up on the bar ....
unless the ends were still connected to the kite.
Freaky accident. Much sorrow.
An extremely sad and tragic incident.
Devastating for those close and involved. I still think about the guy we couldn't save windsurfing in Tarifa in '94 - unnecessary deaths are unforgettable!
Way too many kiting accidents.
It should be mandatory for all harness manufacturers of all kite harnesses - to have an integrated and easily accessible, functional line knife that actually is easy to use and works.
Especially in light winds or between waves, when there are moments of opportunity to cut lines - it should be easily possible to cut your way free - but it's not with some harnesses!
Select to expand quotewaveslave said..
I can't understand how you can get tangled up with lines when they are wound up on the bar ....
unless the ends were still connected to the kite.
Freaky accident. Much sorrow.
From kiteforum:
Tragic story, I got this message from our kite group, from a guy who was there: they were kiting in el charco, the lagoon of rio Jara. The wind had dropped completely, they landed their kites and were going back to the parking, passing the exit of rio Jara, carrying their kites, bar and lines in their hands. Due to the very high tide in the lagoon and rio Jara, caused by lots of rain, the current at the exit of rio Jara washing out to sea was super strong. Normally it's plenty strong, with the rain it was super strong. When they attempted to cross the exit they were swept into the sea, where there were 2m shore break. The kites and lines which they held in their hands got tangled around them. People shouted at them to let go of the kites and cut the lines, but they said no, they didn't want to let go of their kites not to lose them. They got tumbled in the shore break with their kites and lines tangled around them, and drowned.
There are always 2 schools of thought on death threads. Those who want respect the dead and do not want to talk about the accident. They typically get offended when the discussion turns to why, how, when. "It is not respectful to discuss the reasons why now, wait until a respectful time has passed to discuss these matters"
Then there is the group that want to understand the accident so they can learn and potentially save them self from something similar on the future.
The thing is. The time to discuss the accident is now. That is when it is fresh in everyone's minds.
My condolences, thoughts are with family, friends and the extended kite community who are all brothers and sisters.
Select to expand quotehilly said..waveslave said..
I can't understand how you can get tangled up with lines when they are wound up on the bar ....
unless the ends were still connected to the kite.
Freaky accident. Much sorrow.
From kiteforum:
Tragic story, I got this message from our kite group, from a guy who was there: they were kiting in el charco, the lagoon of rio Jara. The wind had dropped completely, they landed their kites and were going back to the parking, passing the exit of rio Jara, carrying their kites, bar and lines in their hands. Due to the very high tide in the lagoon and rio Jara, caused by lots of rain, the current at the exit of rio Jara washing out to sea was super strong. Normally it's plenty strong, with the rain it was super strong. When they attempted to cross the exit they were swept into the sea, where there were 2m shore break. The kites and lines which they held in their hands got tangled around them. People shouted at them to let go of the kites and cut the lines, but they said no, they didn't want to let go of their kites not to lose them. They got tumbled in the shore break with their kites and lines tangled around them, and drowned.
Yeah, I read that piece on the kiteforum too. ^^^
But it doesn't answer my question, it only confuses me more.
It says the kite and lines were held in hands.
If the kite was separate from the bar & lines, how can you get tangled in an inflated kite?
How can you get tangled with a wound-up bar & lines?
The lines ends must have been still attached to the wing-tips as they crossed the stream.
Need more info to understand this accident.
And to the crew who are offended by my enquires; this is a discussion forum, not some freakin grieving platform.
Select to expand quotePlummet said...
There are always 2 schools of thought on death threads. Those who want respect the dead and do not want to talk about the accident. They typically get offended when the discussion turns to why, how, when. "It is not respectful to discuss the reasons why now, wait until a respectful time has passed to discuss these matters"
Then there is the group that want to understand the accident so they can learn and potentially save them self from something similar on the future.
The thing is. The time to discuss the accident is now. That is when it is fresh in everyone's minds.
Plummet is dead.
Discuss...
I once got stuck in a channel with all my gear- swam a km with my gear - it took literally seconds of swimming with 1/2 ravelled lines before my legs were trapped-if there was swell and sweep I'd hate to think of how differently events would've transpired. No matter your take on this post everyone needs to chill a bit - two lives were just lost
One of the kiters who died was my sister husband.it is now big pain for all of us,parents,brother.I can just write I wish all kiters to be very careful.And..I there is nothing now more to write
Aniak
All of us at this forum are very sorry for you loss. Some will express it in different ways but all are sorry.
My condolences to you and your family.
