Truly a tragedy. It was a Swedish windsurfer who was involved. The posted signs for no snorkeling, etc had been knocked down as it is a designated area for "personal watercraft" including jetskis, windsurfers, etc. It's a pretty popular place for speed runs.
With sun, chop, etc, it can be hard to see things in the water. All of us who've been to OBX can relate to suddenly seeing a crab pot buoy or gill net float.
I must admit I'm bad about it but towing a dive flag isn't a bad idea. Someone did mention that, ideally, you carry the handle instead of tying it to anything in case the worst does happen and a water craft snags the line.
Last thing - fins, especially the trailing edges can be deadly sharp. Some fellow in WA died after cutting himself many years ago. There's no need for them to be sharp - if yours is, dull it a bit (square off the back edge) with sand paper. You won't go any slower and may save yourself stitches if you accidentally kick it waterstarting. Most new fins aren't as sharp but some older fins were really bad about this.
I can attest to the OBX hazards of crab pot buoys and gill net (aka harness net) floats. Although to be fair, I am pretty sure that I jumped that net and my board was damaged by one of the invisible black crab pot buoys. That's my story...
This could easily happen in Bonaire. Even though windsurfers are sailing as fast as they can back and forth across Lac Bay, some kids insist on snorkeling across the "racetrack". Even more absurd is the fact that there is nothing to see except bare sand. It makes more sense to wade out to the reef and snorkel. I sometimes do my best "grumpy old man" imitation (a real stretch!) to try to get them to stop, but it rarely works.
That is good to know
Never thought about that
2 things I would prefer not to happen
1. Chomped on by a shark
2. Me killing someone while windsurfing unless it is in self defense or they are freaking evil and just they deserve it
Truly a tragedy. It was a Swedish windsurfer who was involved. The posted signs for no snorkeling, etc had been knocked down as it is a designated area for "personal watercraft" including jetskis, windsurfers, etc. It's a pretty popular place for speed runs.
With sun, chop, etc, it can be hard to see things in the water. All of us who've been to OBX can relate to suddenly seeing a crab pot buoy or gill net float.
I must admit I'm bad about it but towing a dive flag isn't a bad idea. Someone did mention that, ideally, you carry the handle instead of tying it to anything in case the worst does happen and a water craft snags the line.
Last thing - fins, especially the trailing edges can be deadly sharp. Some fellow in WA died after cutting himself many years ago. There's no need for them to be sharp - if yours is, dull it a bit (square off the back edge) with sand paper. You won't go any slower and may save yourself stitches if you accidentally kick it waterstarting. Most new fins aren't as sharp but some older fins were really bad about this.
I can attest to the OBX hazards of crab pot buoys and gill net (aka harness net) floats. Although to be fair, I am pretty sure that I jumped that net and my board was damaged by one of the invisible black crab pot buoys. That's my story...
This could easily happen in Bonaire. Even though windsurfers are sailing as fast as they can back and forth across Lac Bay, some kids insist on snorkeling across the "racetrack". Even more absurd is the fact that there is nothing to see except bare sand. It makes more sense to wade out to the reef and snorkel. I sometimes do my best "grumpy old man" imitation (a real stretch!) to try to get them to stop, but it rarely works.
That is good to know
Never thought about that
2 things I would prefer not to happen
1. Chomped on by a shark
2. Me killing someone while windsurfing unless it is in self defense or they are freaking evil and just they deserve it
I was surprised on our last springs trip how many snorkelers weren't using dive flags.
One would have saved this woman's life.
Alan
What a tragic accident. It's disturbing to read about & wish it could have been avoided.
Barrett
For the curious:
www.amazon.com/Scuba-Max-Inflatable-Float-Dive/dp/B003JP7TNE
less than $20
btw, they are now required in FL for snorkeling. Law was passed in 2014/
How about this? http://www.homewetbar.com/the-big-bobber-floating-beverage-cooler-p-1088.html
Bill Herderich