Brad Grobbelaar, a South African recreational kite surfer, was killed this past Saturday (13 June 2009) after being overcome by a squall while out kiting.
According to news reports, the gust of wind lifted him up and slammed him into rocks in front of a Milnerton hotel. Despite the valiant efforts by paramedics to save him, he later succumbed to massive head injuries.
Brad’s shock friends and fellow kite surfers described him as an experienced kiter who always wore a safety helmet.
An unindentified friend relayed the accident to IOL News: “Brad got close to shore but got picked up by the wind and didn’t go for the safety release. He tried to save his kite but landed up slamming into the rocks.” Apparently this is a ‘common mistake’ kite surfers make, which is why serious injuries among kite surfers are not uncommon.
Brad’s kite was later found on the roof of the Lagoon Beach Hotel.
Brad was a 38-year old IT specialist and father-of-two from Blouberg.
Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
