Watersports blog

The parasailing accident that took place late last week at Ocean Isle Beach garnered headlines because it killed two women. The lawyers for the parasailing company have filed a motion to limit the latter’s liability in the tragedy. The motion was submitted in a federal court.

According to reports, company Ocean Isle Beach Watersports stated that its liability should be the value of the boat which the two women were on the day they died. This is based on the alleged last documents signed by Lorrie Shoup and Cynthia Woodcock signed prior to the parasailing incident. The two women died after they were carried over rough seas and died due to blunt trauma.

Meanwhile, the attorney for the women’s families believe that the $100,000 proposed deal is not enough to cover the deaths of the two women because there’s emotional stress involved for the bereaved families.

The popular Myrtle Beach in South Carolina seems to benefit more from the financial crisis as increasing number of tourists flock this destination for its fames water sports.

The water sports business owners in the area revealed that there’s a significant increase of tourists availing of their jet ski units or signing up for parasailing adventures even though the prices start at $135.

Instead of lowering down their prices due to the crisis, the business owners concentrated on offering services that is worth their current rates.

Richard Thomas, the owner of the Thomas Outdoor Watersports that operates in the beach, said that he had apprehensions about the outcome of his business after the financial crisis started. However, he noticed that there’s an increase of profits this year compared to 2008.

Another business operator Charlie Mize said that his business flourished due to customers returning for the second or several times because of their excellent service.

He revealed that they attracted customers because they dared to make a different approach – make things personal.

Vacations at the beach usually entail having fun with loved ones and friends that’s why water sports have become a huge hit at this side of the country.

A popular water sports instructor based in Scotland reportedly died in a freak accident during one of his windsurfing activities.

Allan Bunyan encountered a sudden gust of wind in the sail of the board which seen him flying off to the rocks. He was at the island of Cumbrae near the National Watersports Center where he works as coach and instructor.

According to reports, authorities and emergency medical team rushed to Bunyan’s body but he was already lifeless. He was 47.

The father of two was hailed as one of the top instructors when it comes to skiing, sailing, waterskiing and windsurfing. He’s also a registered mountain bike instructor.

The death is currently being investigated by local authorities. However, initial findings revealed that the incident was just a tragic accident.

A police spokesman said that they received a call at around six in the event last Friday stating that a man was seen swept off his surfboard and landed among the rocks.

Bunyan is a popular person in the community having served nine years at the Glasgow City Council outdoors center, working and assisting kids. He’s a well-travelled person having visited countries such as Germany, Greece and Yugoslavia.

A study conducted by David Ball of the Middlesex University revealed that between the years 1988 and 1992, water sports topped the list of most dangerous sports among adults in United Kingdom, with more than 40 percent of the reported fatalities caused by drowning.

It’s an unexpected twist of perception since most people would consider extreme sports such as hang-gliding, parachuting and others to be more dangerous. However, the study only stressed the importance for people to be extra careful doing water-related activities.

Based on the data, about 315 incidents out of 708 reported fatalities came from water sports such as swimming. Motor sports came in second with 65 fatalities while horse riding completed that top three with 62. Air and mountain climbing-related sports accounted to 51 deaths.

The reason behind the larger percentage of deaths from water sports is the fact that people spend more time on water rather than other events.

Based on the study, about 163 individuals die in sports-related accidents per year. These figures were based on the years specified on the study. There’s no indication yet if there’s a significant increase on fatalities from the years 1993 to 2009.

Placid Waters, a famous location due to its three competition lakes, will hot the inaugural Global Invitational Water Skiing and Wakeboarding event next month. Placid is located in Allendale, Michigan.

This competition is expected to be memorable considering that the best wakeboarders and water skiers from all over the country will take part and fight for a chance to win a big share of the $30,000 cash prize money.

Event Organizer Mike Broadwell expressed their group’s excitement in staging the inaugural wakeboarding and waterskiing event. He added that they are also expecting competitors from other countries and are doing their best to make this competition momentous and worthy to become a yearly event.

The major sponsor of the Global Invitation is the Global Marine Insurance. Company Marketing Manager Jim Stanley said that it is a great honor to become part of this year’s event, which is expected to see famous athletes such as Marcus Brown and Chris Rossi.

The Global Invitational kicks off with an all day demo riding at the Radar Lake. The qualifying wakeboarding and waterskiing events will take place in the morning while the finals will be staged during the early evening.

The Customs and Immigration Marine Unit and the police force in Cayman Islands will start apprehending jet ski users who are violating the law. This move was announced after the authorities reported increase number of complaints from residents stating that jet skis are being part close to the shore or disturbing the nearby residents due to noises.

Courtney Myles, the Maine Unit Chief Inspector, said that a number of jet skis are being modified by owners in order to emanate more notice and power. He stressed that these already powerful machines should be used within the law in order to ensure safety of the users, the living things under the water and the residents. He said jet skis should not be used on areas designated as swimming zones and should not have a speed of more than five knots when the craft is within two hundred yards from shore.

Safety tips are also being shared to the residents on how to use the jet skis. Here are the following:

• Wear a life vest at all times
• Don’t use the jet ski under the influence of alcohol
• Must learn how to use the jet ski
• Inform someone about where you are intending to go and the estimated time of return.

The Midwest Regional Authority (MWRA) in Ireland revealed that it is planning to promote its watersports sector in the area in order to increase environmental awareness and at the same time increase economic opportunities. These areas cover Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary.

The organization will help inform the public about the sustainable watersports development especially in the country’s coastline, rivers and lakes and by developing new initiatives and opportunities. The officials hope that their efforts will result to attracting additional visitors in the region each year once their plans are realized.

Project Manager Marie Collins said that the Regional Authority (RA) will be implementing an online portal for watersports in the Midwest Region. This will be done within the next three years and they’ll be working with several sectors in order to make this a reality. Other sectors that will tapped in this major project include tourism, local watersports centers and the National Sports Federations.

She informed the public to visit their website for more information about their local and regional watersports programme in the aforementioned time period.

The Midwest Watersports Project will have its regional launch by the end of this month.

After several hours of intense search, divers found the body of 25-year old Sean Patrick Spiegel who was reported missing since Saturday at the Forth Fathom Grotto in Marion County, Florida.

According to the authorities, Spiegel’s body was found in one of the caves at around 8 pm on Sunday. They said that his body was intact and will undergo medical autopsy in order to determine the real cause of death. Spiegel’s diving equipment was also taken as part of the investigation.

Spiegel and four of his friends reportedly stayed at a rented log cabin nearby. They group had their diving adventure on Saturday morning, going as deep as 104 feet. Instead of going with the group in their ascent above water, Spiegel signaled that he still has six minutes remaining and would like to continue diving. That’s the last time they saw Spiegel.

More than 10 divers were hired to do the comprehensive search but encountered no results early on.

Spiegel is said to be an experience scuba diver. This pronouncement prompted the authorities to conduct an investigation for possible foul play.
As of press time, Spiegel’s friends decline to give comments.

White Water Rafting is exhilarating. It is the perfect sport for thrill seekers looking for a head rush. But, despite that, it can be very dangerous and should not be taken lightly. Here are a few tips to ensure a safe and fun white water rafting adventure.

BE PREPARED – For those who have never tried white water rafting, it is important that they are well prepared before starting. Preparation for the sport includes being fit and having advanced swimming skills. You may be wearing a lifejacket with your flash swimwear but that in itself won’t save you. You need to know how to and be strong enough to swim to shore when you need to. It is also advised that first time rafters be honest with their guides about their physical health and swimming skills.

LISTEN – White Water Rafting is a dangerous sport. That is why first timers should pay attention to the instructors. Learn the paddling styles well and don’t take your training for granted. Keep in mind that your incompetence on the raft would not only affect your safety, but the safety of others with you too.

START SLOW – If you are just starting out, select milder rapids. Don’t make the mistake of going for higher level rapids on your first try. Go slow and once you get a feel for it, you can graduate to harder sites.

The Greeks won top honors in the recently concluded European Rowing Championships held in Marathon, Greece. Greek rowing teams won a total of five gold medals last September 22, 2008. Among the top winners were Vasileios Polymeros, Dimitirio Mougios, Chrysi Biskitzi and Alexandra Tsiavou. Sporting officials say that the Greek team definitely did their country proud.

The European Rowing Championships tool place at the Schinias Olympic Rowing and Canoeing center located in Marathon, Greece. The Grecian city played host for the European games which lasted from September 19 to September 20. The games were delayed for a bit due to bad weather. The rowing championship was then concluded in September 22, 2008.

Greece did not only prove to be a great host. They also proved that they were a rowing force to be reckoned with. The team took home the gold medal for men’s Lightweight double skulls and for women’s lightweight double skulls. Biskitzi and Tsiavou won the latter event. They also won for the same even in 2007. Other gold medal recipients were Ioannis Christou for Men’s Lightweight Single skull and Pavlos Gavriilidis and Georgios Tsiompanidis won for Men’s pair rowing. Team Greece also won the gold in men’s four rowing.