Photo: Graham Howes // Facebook
The South African watersports community is mourning the loss of kitesurfer Graham Howes. After he went missing and his remains subsequently being found at sea, it is now being reported that the cause of his untimely death may have been a whale strike.
According to the National Sea Rescue Institute, The ordeal began when Howes’ family reported that he had not returned from an afternoon kiteboarding session offshore of Eden on the Bay, Bloubergstrand. This kicked off an extensive search effort involving multiple agencies, emergency services, as well as private and commercial, air, land and sea resources.
Finally, on the morning of Monday, September 8, Howes’ kite and board were located and recovered at sea by the crew of a local motor yacht that had joined the search effort. Later that day, his remains were found and taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
However, according to posts from clothing brand Dirty Habits (one in which Graham founded), there was more to the story. “Following an extensive investigation, including three separate autopsies and a complete recovery operation, it has now been confirmed that Graham had kited out to a pod of whales and was struck by one with over a ton of force,” wrote the retailer. “The impact caused him to lose consciousness instantly, which led to him drowning peacefully.
“This conclusion is consistent across all findings: the snapped lines, his damaged board, the unreleased safety, final camera footage, and the recovery positions of all the pieces and of Graham himself out on the ocean.
“Known by many as the unofficial mayor of Cape Town, Graham was more than a friend. He was the heartbeat of our community. The emptiness of losing him is beyond words, but we find comfort in knowing he did not suffer and left us doing what he loved most.”
