Dubai sailors rescue drowning kite surfer

An Emirati kite surfer who landed in troubled waters due to a damaged kite board was saved from drowning by Dubai Offshore Sailing Club.

Keith Mutch, General Manager of Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, told  'Emirates 24|7' that the young surfer was practising near the Sailing Club area when he lost control of his kite and fell into the sea. His board also developed some problems and he could not survive for long. Our rescue team went out and rescued him. It was one of the rare such accidents in this area.”

“The next day, the young man returned to the club with a gift and thanked our rescue team for saving his life,” Keith added.

The lucky surfer was not a member of the Dubai Offshore Sailing club.

Ram Govekar, who was part of the rescue team, said: "He just fell into the water due to some problems with his kite. He was almost exhausted and drowning. By the time our sailing team rushed to the spot and rescued him, he was in a critical condition. We then called the police and ambulance and rushed him to the hospital. He could not breath and was totally exhausted.”

There have been many injuries reported among surfers including broken legs, ribs, ankles, cuts and even deaths from kite surfing.

Authorities urged surfers not to take the sport lightly.

The 500lb breaking strain lines pose the main danger and will injure the surfer or bystanders before they break. The length of the lines are around 30 metres so all obstacles and people in this radius are in the danger zone, according to experts.

“Unrestrained kites blowing away over people, onto roads, power lines or streetlights can cause significant injury and danger. Obstacles including concrete walls, cars, posts, streetlights and signs will injure you if you are dragged into them. Midair collisions with other  kites can also cause the kite to become uncontrollable or if one kite is released, then the remaining kite surfers will be dragged by two kites,” experts warn.

“The power of a kite increases by the square of the kite’s speed . Learners are unaware of how much power can be produced by an out-of-control kite. Using substandard and used kites and surfing equipment can also cause accidents," they added.