Cape Town professional kiteboarder Graham Howes tragically died after what investigators believe was a collision with a whale while he was kiteboarding off the city’s coast last month.
According to a report by News24, Howes — who was 38 years old — went missing on Saturday, 7 September 2025, while kitesurfing near Eden on the Bay in Bloubergstrand, a popular spot for ocean sports.
His body was recovered the next day (8 September 2025) after a large-scale search involving the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and local community volunteers.
A social media post shared by Dirty Habits, the adventure sports company Howes founded, revealed that an investigation into his death concluded that he had kited toward a pod of whales and was “struck by one with over a ton of force.”
The post added:
“The impact caused him to lose consciousness instantly, which led to him drowning peacefully. This conclusion is consistent across all findings: the snapped lines, his damaged board, the unreleased safety, final camera footage, and the recovery positions of all the pieces and of Graham himself out on the ocean.”
According to the same post, the findings were supported by three separate autopsies and a complete recovery operation.
While the family and close friends accepted the explanation, police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooisaid the official inquest into Howes’ death was still ongoing.
He explained that police could not yet confirm the final cause of death until the investigation was complete .
The NSRI confirmed that Howes’ kite and board were located and recovered at sea before his body was found. NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon described Howes as “an accomplished kiteboarder” and said multiple rescue teams, including a local motor yacht, had assisted in locating him.
The discovery of Howes’ body brought a heartbreaking end to an intense search effort that drew help from local seafarers, friends, and members of the kitesurfing community. Many on social media described him as a pioneer in South African extreme sports.
In tribute, Dirty Habits wrote:
“The emptiness of losing him is beyond words, but we find comfort in knowing he did not suffer and left us doing what he loved most. Graham’s legacy is not just in the way he lived, it’s in the doors he opened, the conversations he sparked, and the home he built for so many of us.”
Howes was a well-known figure in the international kiteboarding scene, recognised for his daring stunts and vibrant personality.
He had represented South Africa in global competitions and often used his platform to mentor young athletes.