According to the Florida Sun-Sentinel, a 38-years-old kiteboarder was spotted a quarter mile off Stuart Beach surrounded by sharks.
Amazingly, a lifeguard paddled out to the scene where 38-years-old Stephen Howard Schafer, a resident, battled against a pack of sharks. The lifeguard rescued Schafer, pulling him onto the rescue board then paddled back. Schafer suffered multiple bite wounds and was given cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Schafer was pronounced dead at a local hospital. No word yet on what type of sharks attacked Schafer.
Kitesurfing or kiteboarding is a surface water sport that uses the wind to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard (similar to a wakeboard).
Generally kiteboarding refers to a style of riding known as freestyle or wake-style, whereas kitesurfing is more “wave-riding” oriented. These two styles usually require different boards and specific performance kites.
Authorities are now trying to figure out what kind of shark it was that killed him. They believe it is most likely a larger breed of shark, such as a bull, tiger, or possibly great white.
Yesterday, at 4:15 PM, lifeguard Daniel Lund saw Schafer through binoculars floating in an unguarded part of the ocean. He paddled out to get him and Schafer was screaming that he had been bitten. As Lund towed Schafer in, Schafer suddenly stopped talking. Rescuers administered CPR, and he was transported to Martin Memorial Hospital where he passed away.
Friends said Schafer always followed the buddy system while surfing and were surprised he was in the water alone.
"We always know that (sharks) are out there. You see them this time of the year," said Teague Taylor,
a childhood friend who says Schafer taught him to surf. "It's hard to believed that such an experienced waterman would make that one mistake."
Schafer, a gifted artist and graphic designer, was drawn to the water as a child. He surfed competitively and later started sailing, windsurfing and kiteboarding. Kiteboarders surf across the water on boards strapped to their feet, using large curved sails to pull them along.
"He had to be around the water," said Taylor, who manages a local surf store.
Investigation is still runing :(
What A sad news !!
