Sadly, the danger of storm windsurfing, 2 days ago.

www.peconicpuffin.com/the_peconic_puffin/2011/08/what-happened-to-joe-rocco.html

That's really sad.

I was wondering the other day how many people have died windsurfing? It seems an extremely safe sport compared to say skiing or lawn bowls.

echunda said...

Stories like these always remind me why a wear a helmet and PFD.

A good idea, though in this particular case the belief is a helmet (at least) would not have helped. The sailor (Joe Rocco) appeared to have hit submerged debris and then was catapulted face first into the debris, knocking him out instantly.

Maybe a helmet with a face mask would have made a difference. Or perhaps a PFD might have prevented him from drowning though he was unconscious.

A memorial gathering was held at the sailing site for which the guy was famous. The windsurfing has renamed the launch "Joe's Beach".

www.peconicpuffin.com/the_peconic_puffin/2011/09/remembering-joe-rocco.html