Angry gray, the sea is still ” evil “ this Monday, September 30 in Cap Coz (Fouesnant). The wind has calmed, but a little drizzle underlines the low-pressure start to autumn. On the beach, at low tide, a few walkers come across gulls accustomed to tobacco.
The day before, Sunday September 29, a kitesurfer who was on the beach was swept away by a gust of wind more violent than the others. He was thrown with his sail against the facade of a house located about thirty meters away, avenue de la Pointe.
Despite early treatment by witnesses, he did not survive. Originally from the area, the practitioner was 58 years old and knew the area well.
“This is not the first accident”
“It’s one thing I dread when there’s a storm, I always see one or two arriving to kite or wingfoil. This is not the first accident, deplores this neighbor of the scene of the accident. It’s easy to access, they can park and take out their equipment. We are particularly exposed here, we are in the middle of the water. »
Rain, strong wind (over 70 km/h) blowing in gusts… The weather conditions were difficult on Sunday. So much so that the Dock of the Fouesnant-Cornouaille nautical center, a few meters away, has not opened.
On the door, this short message could still be read on Monday: “For reasons of weather, orientation and wind strength, the Dock will be exceptionally closed this Sunday, September 29. »
“Respect and emotion”
Jean has been kiting for 20 years. “We know each other among kitesurfers, it’s a small community, he confides. Compared to what happened on Sunday in Cap-Coz, there is first of all respect for the family of the deceased and emotion. »
For John, “a chain of circumstances” resulted in the accident. “We don’t do this sport to put ourselves in danger, even if there is a risk factor that persists. Like in the mountains or on the road. On Sunday, there was a very southerly wind, the tide was quite high, we were in demanding conditions. But it happens very often in Brittany and these conditions, consistent with forecasts, remained passable. In kitesurfing, takeoff and landing are the most dangerous moments. »
Adapted equipment
The material, “which has evolved a lot”is adapted to the size of the practitioner and the weather context. When there is wind, the kitesurfer will rather choose a 5 to 7 m sail2. When the wind is weaker, the canvas is larger.
The bay of La Forêt is renowned for being a spot “fairly protected from the waves. Kerleven and Cap-Coz are fairly calm places, suitable for kiting. »
“Field investigations”
The French Kite & Wing Free Flight Federation reacted to the tragedy that occurred in Cap-Coz. In a message posted Monday on Facebook, she indicates that the National Kite Committee “conducts field investigations in order to better understand the circumstances of this accident. These analyzes allow us to develop educational feedback documents and produce a detailed report of kitesurfing accidents each year. Let’s remain vigilant. »
