Hi there,
Well, yesterday we had in Italy our frist dead due to kitesurfing. There was a great wind in the last 2 week-ends, and yesterday (sunday 24th) in Ostia we had this terrible accident. Ostia is the main destination for kite and wind surfers in Rome, is a very well known spot with very few risky points. I'm still looking for some specific info regarding the dynamics, anyway I report below a piece of a newspaper article (the translation seems bad, it comes from an automatic translator).
We are all with the family of Michele Magno.
Luca
A wind gust has thrown him in air and has made it fall to the soil, on the sand of a bathing establishment. Michele Magno, 42
years, the first victim in Italy of the "Kite Surf", one of the most spectacular aquatic sports, who has been doing fury for at least at three years is. The practising wear water skis and her hook with two robust cables to a "Kite" such to those of the paragliding. Then, skilfully exploiting the winds and the currents of air, they raise and evolutions draw on the waves. A technique which also requires big ability and prudence because who does "Kite Surf" for strength of things, often chooses the windy days and been restless with the sea.
The tragedy consumed herself yesterday morning around 13,30. Mr. Magno was on water up to the establishment "Marinella" Ostia when suddenly has been raised to quite a lot of meters of height. The athlete has not been able to give up kite or throw him soon in the sea: the very violent burst has thrown him with violence at the hinterland and the man has fallen in the area in concession to the establishment "Il Gabbiano". Mr Magno has been aidded immediately by a few boys that had come to Ostia with him but his conditions have appeared soon very heavy. Transported at the hospital, he has died little later 6 pm.
...
"Who practises Kite Surf must not forget that is a dangerous sport, person responsible for the athletic committee of the Lazio, it remembers Miki Galifi Cerquetti, it is necessary always wear the helmet and the jacket of saving, pay attention the Meteo conditions and consider the strength of the wind. It is a very beautiful discipline but what goes faced carefully and
not taking into consideration only the entertainment. Up to today they had been several accidents but no one, luckily,
mortal there. This tragedy imposes a reflection to everybody of us".