Body of missing Bloubergstrand kite-surfer found at sea

Missing Bloubergstrand kite-surfer Graham Howes' body was recovered at sea on Monday.

The 38-year-old was last seen kite-boarding offshore of Eden on the Bay in Bloubergstrand on Sunday.

"On Monday, during the search, rescue teams located Howes' kite-surf sail and kite-surf board at sea.

"His body was found shortly after in the search area by the crew of a local motor yacht that had also joined in the extensive search efforts," National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said.

"His body was handed over to the police and Department of Health Forensic Pathology Services," added.

Lambinon thanked all those who assisted in the search for Howes. 

Rescue teams had on Monday morning resumed their search for the 38-year-old after his family reported he had not returned from an afternoon of kite-boarding.

Camera footage obtained by local security showed Howes, on a blue and black kiteboard, with a white kite sail with red writing, in a black wetsuit in the vicinity offshore of Eden on the Bay at 1pm.

National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said the Melkbosstrand duty crew had been activated after receiving reports that Howes was missing.

"NSRI Melkbosstrand launched the NSRI rescue craft Rotary's Gift to initiate a search while shoreline patrols were conducted," Lambinon explained.

Several other rescue teams also joined in the search.

Lambinon said Howes was an accomplished kite-boarder and their teams were working with search grids, taking into account weather, wind and sea currents.

This was being used to indicate the search area to extend out to sea from Eden on the Bay and out to sea in a north-west direction between Bloubergstrand and Robben Island and out to sea beyond Bokpunt and past the vicinity between Yzerfontein and Dassen Island.

Cape Times