Kitesurfer Graham Howes killed by whale in Cape Town

You read about great white sharks in False Bay. You follow the killer whale sightings along the coast. But a whale strike? You never imagine something like this.

Living in London, you get news from home in fragments. A WhatsApp message, a headline on SAPeople, a mate sending through something they’ve seen.

This one stopped me cold. The Cape Town kitesurfing community is mourning the loss of Graham Howes after coroners confirmed he died in an extraordinary whale strike off Bloubergstrand on 7 September.

The sport’s inherent dangers

Kitesurfing fatalities remain relatively rare, but the extreme sport carries real dangers that have claimed lives over the years.

Back in 2022, a Dutch kitesurfer died in Muizenberg after being swept nearly 500 metres into the air and slammed into buildings.

In 2009, another surfer was killed near Milnerton after wind gusts lifted him into rocks.

Studies show that whilst most kitesurfing injuries are minor cuts and sprains, serious incidents do happen, particularly when conditions turn nasty.

A freak accident

Howes, 38, was the founder and CEO of kitesurfing lifestyle brand Dirty Habits. He was last seen kiteboarding near Eden on the Bay around 1pm.

When he didn’t come home that evening, an extensive search operation launched, involving multiple agencies, emergency services, and private vessels.

His body was recovered the following day by a local motor yacht crew, with his kitesurfing equipment located nearby.

Three independent autopsies and a comprehensive investigation determined that Howes had kited out to a pod of whales when one of the massive creatures struck him with a force exceeding a tonne.

The devastating impact rendered him unconscious instantly, leading to his drowning.

Evidence supporting this conclusion included snapped kite lines, a damaged board, an unreleased safety mechanism, final camera footage, and the recovery positions of all equipment.

An irreplaceable loss

Nicknamed the “unofficial mayor of Cape Town,” Graham Howes was instrumental in establishing the city as a premier global kitesurfing destination.

Friends and fellow athletes described him as a fearless pioneer, dedicated mentor, and the lifeblood of the local community.

Marine biology experts note that whilst whale and kitesurfer interactions are exceptionally rare, the sheer size and unpredictability of these marine mammals make any close encounter potentially dangerous.

Howes’ death serves as a sobering reminder of nature’s raw power, even for the most accomplished athletes navigating South Africa’s spectacular but unpredictable waters.