In March 2005 six kiteboarders were riding off of Rocky Cay Beach near the central eastern shore of San Andres island, Colombia in the Western Caribbean.
Rocky Cay, San Andres, Colombia
The wind dropped to where the riders on 12 to 13 m kites were underpowered sending them into shore. One rider stayed out on an approximate 16 to 18 m kite
in roughly 11 to 12 kt. onshore wind. The kiteboarder had been kiting for about 3 to 4 years and windsurfing for roughly 15 years off the island.
A view east from Rocky Cay Beach towards a shipwreck offshore.
He came within about 3 to 6 ft. from shore, did a small jump with the intension of changing direction (airborne transition), instead of sending the kite seaward the rider kept the kite pointed landward from the zenith.
A sectional illustration of the accident.
This resulted in the rider leaving the water and landing on the sand. He presumably fell over forwards The kiteboarder was then dragged head first across an approximate 10 ft. wide section of sand and into some rocks. The rider suffered severe head and/or neck injury. He was not wearing a helmet or impact vest. He was not seen to try to unhook however even at the relatively low wind speed, given the negligible distances likely would not have had time to react much less depower his kite before impact. The accident happened with his wife present on the beach. He later died while being transported to the hospital.