Latest news with #windsurfing
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Tragedy as kite surfer in his 70s dies after being ‘blown into the side of a yacht' at popular UK beach
A MAN in his 70s has tragically died after a windsurfing accident. He was blown out of the water and hit a moored yacht during strong winds. 2 2 A second person is being treated by paramedics after the accident in Portland Harbour, Dorset. It's a popular sport for kite and windsurfers but winds reached 35mph on Tuesday afternoon. The coastguard scrambled to the scene at 13:35pm, but the man was sadly pronounced dead after being brought to the jetty. A Weymouth Lifeboat spokesperson said: 'A yacht anchored in the harbour having reported a kite surfer in difficulty to the Coastguard." The man was brought to the jetty where first aid was administered by the harbour staff and RNLI ILB crew. But a doctor on scene tragically pronounced him dead. Portland and neighbouring Weymouth hosted the sailing and windsurfing competitions at the London 2012 Olympics. A Dorset Police spokesperson said: 'We received a report at 1.52pm on Tuesday 15 July 2025 raising concern for the welfare of two men in the water in the area of Portland Harbour. 'Emergency services attended and very sadly one of the men, aged in his 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene. 'His death is not being treated as suspicious and his family has been informed. 'Our thoughts are with the man's family and friends at this very difficult time. 'The second person has been left in the care of the ambulance service.'
ABC News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Geraldton set to host World Junior Windsurfing Championship grand final
Some of the world's best young windsurfers are set to hit the waves on one of the windiest stretches of the West Australian coastline. Geraldton, 400 kilometres north of Perth, will host the World Wave grand final of the Junior World Windsurfing Championships in January — the first time the event will be held outside Europe. Competitors from around the world will take to the waves from January 10–18. World Wave Tour director Simeon Glasson said it was a landmark moment for the sport. "Bringing the grand final to Western Australia reflects our global vision for youth windsurfing and highlights Geraldton's world-class wind and wave conditions," he said. Western Australia had seven junior windsurfers who finished in the world's top 10 rankings in 2024. Geraldton Windsurfing Club president Peter Kenyon said securing the event was a huge coup for the town. "It's amazing; to wrestle it from the European circuit is a big achievement in itself," he said. "In the past couple of years, we've actually had a real increase in events in Geraldton. "It's really great to help the local community and windsurfing community to display what we've got." Depending on conditions, heats will be held across Sunset Beach, Spot X (Oakajee), or Coronation Beach. With the cost of travelling to Europe to compete, Mr Kenyon said the event being held locally would be a huge boost for home-grown competitors. "Having the under-18 world titles in Geraldton allows the Australian kids to compete," he said. "The event quite often has been in Europe, and the cost of travel to Europe is quite expensive, and for most of us, that is outside our budget. "It's showcasing the local talent in Geraldton and it gives our juniors an opportunity to compete without having to travel overseas." Mr Kenyon's daughter, Sarah, followed her father and family friends into the sport and is ranked number one in junior girls on the World Wave Tour. Sarah said it would be a special moment to compete at home. "It means a lot to me," she said. "I get to compete somewhere where I've been training so much and just to use those conditions to my advantage is pretty cool as well." Much like a football or a cricket team might experience a home-field advantage at their regular ground, Sarah said riding her home waves would be a big boost too. "I just know where to position myself and everything like that," she said. "And also, just because we have such great waves it will be so cool to make the most of them."
South China Morning Post
06-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong teens sail to victory at iQFOil Asian Championships
After a weekend of riding the waves, Hong Kong windsurfers Choy Wing-tung and Hung King were overjoyed when they were crowned winners at the iQFOil Asian Championships 2024 in Shenzhen in November. The athletes, both 18 years old, came out on top of the Under-19 Women's and Men's categories, respectively, beating others from around the region. It was the result of a lot of training and hard work, King said. 'There are many tactics and strategies that I have to plan before and during the race; there might be something unpredictable that you have to face and overcome,' he said. It was the icing on the cake for the pair, who also won their respective youth categories for the 2024 Hong Kong Open Windsurfing Championships earlier that same month. Hard work and sacrifice Wing-tung began her windsurfing journey at eight years old. 'I signed up for various water sports classes with my dad,' the teen said, adding that she loved windsurfing because it was 'more challenging'. Although King is considered the best in his age group in Hong Kong, he only started windsurfing around three or four years ago, thanks also to his father. 'My dad brought me into the sport. He tends to motivate me, brings me to different sports, and encourages me to try different activities,' King explained. In addition to regularly attending school and completing assignments, Wing-tung is enrolled at Baptist University, while King is a student at Yew Chung International School. They spend most of their weekends training, usually in Stanley or Tai Mei Tuk. King's commute to Stanley takes an hour and a half by car, while Wing-tung's takes an hour. In addition to long travel times, 'the training hours [are] pretty long compared to other sports', King explained. This leaves them with little free time, though they said it was worth it for their success. Hong Kong windsurfer Choy Wing-tung is no stranger to sacrifice. Photo: Handout Olympic dreams Although windsurfing is allowed at government beaches, the sport comes with its own risks. During a difficult competition last year, King was disqualified after another athlete crashed into him, though thankfully he wasn't injured. Last February, Wing-tung tore her ACL – a key ligament that helps stabilise the knee joint – during training, and she had to stop windsurfing for a few months. Although she has been training her legs and working on her strength, she said the injury could still cause pain. 'I usually get pain during the race, but now I am used to it,' Wing-tung said. The athlete admitted that her windsurfing dreams were in question since she was still trying to recover from her ACL injury. Still, she has her sights set on the highest level of competition. 'I would like to go to the Olympics,' she said.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Warning as windsurfer rescued in force four winds in emergency off Welsh coast
A windsurfer who got into difficulties in hugh winds in the sea off the Welsh coast was rescued by a lifeboat crew. Members of Horton and Port Eynon RNLI Lifeboat rescues were just returning from a training exercise when they were approached by a number of windsurfers who were concerned about a windsurfer who they thought was in difficulty in the sea at Port Eynon Bay. The lifeboat was immediately re-launched and made a search of the bay. The crew saw a windsurfer waving at them clearly trying to draw their attention. When they made their way to him they spotted another person in the sea close by. He was wearing a wetsuit and was almost 400 metres offshore. He had been separated from his windsurfer. The man was taken on board the lifeboat and taken back to shore. READ MORE: Man airlifted from Welsh beach by air ambulance READ MORE: One word dominates the Met Office's new forecast for the coming month Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice In a statement the crew said: "The wind was blowing at force four and there was a one metre swell. Had the windsurfer, close to the man in the water, not drawn the crews attention it would have extremely difficult to have spotted the man in the water." The lifeboat was launched again shortly after 4pm. when information was received of a kitesurfer in difficulty. A search of the area was made but no kitesurfer could be found. Lawrie Grove, the lifeboat perations manager for the Horton and Port Eynon Station urged windsurfers to take care, pay attention to weather conditions and take a mobile phone to call for help. He said: 'We want people to have fun when heading out on the water, however incidents can happen even for the most experienced water users. "When going windsurfing always carry a means of calling for help such as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch. "In the event of an emergency, if possible stay with your equipment, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. "Weather conditions, particularly offshore winds and strong tidal currents can make it more difficult or even impossible to return to the shore, so it is really important to check the forecast and tide times before you head out. "Remember to wear a well-fitted buoyancy aid or personal floatation device as this will help you float if you end up in the water unexpectedly."
