Drowned and attacked by sharks in New Caledonia, the kitesurfer was from Nantes

A 39-year-old kitesurfer, from Trentemoult, in Rezé, died Thursday June 27 in New Caledonia, by drowning followed by a shark attack.

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He was a sports teacher in a high school in New Caledonia: a 39-year-old man from Nantes died on Thursday while he was kite-surfing off the coast of Poindimié, in the north-east of the island. Aged 39, he was originally from Trentemoult, in Rezé, where he grew up as one of four children.

According to the public prosecutor of Nouméa, Yves Dupas, the death occurred by drowning: the Nantes resident “hindered in the halyards of his wing, and fell into the water” added the prosecutor. He then lost consciousness. His friend who accompanied him on this outing provided first aid. The prosecution specifies that several sharks then arrived quickly.

“The examination of the body carried out at the request of the prosecution concludes that it was death by drowning, followed by a shark attack.” In recent years the risk associated with sharks has increased significantly in New Caledonia.