Several surfing enthusiasts took advantage of waves and wind in the wake of Hurricane Ian, on Monday, 26 Sept., but shortly after faced a backlash on social media after a post highlighting their actions made the rounds.
Caymanian kite surfer Sean Myers and friend Valmik Chin – kite surfers must go out with a partner – were among those enjoying the waves off Seven Mile Beach, which the Cayman Islands National Weather Service estimated were 14 feet high.
“I don’t think anyone should have anything bad to say,” Myers, 21, told the Cayman Compass. “I’m sure they’ve (surfers) been waiting for this kind of break all year… They know their ability, just like I know mine.”
Earlier this year, the Sports Browser website ranked big wave surfing as the fifth most dangerous sport in the world, with surfers taking on waves up to 80 feet.
However, the average surfer worldwide rides waves between 9 and 20 feet high, which falls into the wave heights on Monday. Myers said that there is a misconception from the public who do not understand the sport.
“This is an extreme sport; kite surfing, surfing, windsurfing. Not everyone does that and I feel that a lot more people should… try to learn about the sport.
“[The surfers in the video] have the experience, they have the knowledge, and they know what to do in certain situations. People don’t just go out if they are not trained for the water because this isn’t something to joke with and every waterman knows that.”
Myers said he took to the water following the National Emergency Operations Centre ‘all-clear’ announcement at 3pm.
The announcement also encouraged residents not to take any unnecessary risks in the aftermath of the hurricane. However, like many others, Myers said he understands the dangers of kitesurfing, that it’s the nature of the sport.
As an example, Myers recalled a particularly windy day which did not go well for many surfers.
“There was one year that I went out in around 30 knots… and a lot of people ended up in the trees that day. This is a very risky sport, but I’m willing to take the risk.
“[On Monday] it was probably close to 40 knots, gusting to 50 miles per hour winds and that was really scary,” he said. “I had to prove to myself that I could do it…I was scared, but it’s something that I love to do.”
Myers’ love and respect for the ocean goes back to his childhood, when he spent most of his time swimming and free diving with his father.
He has been kitesurfing since 2011 and in 2016 even competed at The Rock International Open, held off Barkers Beach in Grand Cayman, where he took silver in the junior freestyle event.
In another boost for the sport, kitesurfing is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, France. Myers, who will turn 22 in November, said he will continue to follow his passion, with hopes of competing on the big stage.
“I’m going to continue [in] the sport and try to build and get better [to] make a name for myself [in kitesurfing],” he said.
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