Graham Howes: Who he is, what happened, and latest update you should know
Graham Howes missing at sea — latest search update
The tight-knit kitesurfing community of Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, has been shaken by the disappearance of Graham Howes, a 38-year-old professional kiteboarder and entrepreneur known for his daring tricks and adventurous spirit. Howes was last seen on Sunday, September 7, 2025, when he headed out to sea near Eden on the Bay and never returned. Despite extensive rescue efforts by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), police, and fellow surfers, his whereabouts remain unknown, sparking widespread concern and prayers across South Africa and beyond.
Who is Graham Howes?
Graham Howes is a 38-year-old kite-boarder from Bloubergstrand (Cape Town) known locally as an experienced, accomplished rider and community figure in the Western Cape’s kitesurfing scene. He has been involved in the local kite-community and associated projects promoting an extreme-sports lifestyle.
Last known whereabouts and the ongoing search
Howes was last seen kite-boarding off Eden on the Bay (Big Bay / Bloubergstrand) at about 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, 7 September 2025. Family raised the alarm that evening when he failed to return as expected; NSRI Melkbosstrand was activated shortly before 8:00 p.m. and launched a sea, air and shoreline search that continued into the following morning. Rescue units involved included NSRI craft, multiple shoreline patrols, drone units (aerial infrared searches), EMS and local water-rescue teams; search grids were extended as far as Robben Island and toward Dassen Island to allow for tides, currents and wind drift.
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Graham Howes missing at sea — here’s the latest search update
Reports describe the kit he was using: a blue-and-black kiteboard, a white kite sail with red writing, and a black wetsuit—details the NSRI and local media circulated to help identify any sightings or recovered equipment. There have been unconfirmed social-media reports and local posts referring to items (a kite) found offshore, but authorities have not confirmed recovery of Howes himself.
Background and community profile
Locally he is described by multiple outlets and rescue spokespeople as an “accomplished” kitesurfer who is well known in the Blouberg and Big Bay communities. Online profiles and sport pages link him to big-air kiting and entrepreneurial projects within the sport’s lifestyle scene. Those community connections explain why local kitesurfers, neighbourhood watches and family members quickly mobilised to assist search efforts.
How you can help / who to contact
If you were in the Bloubergstrand, Big Bay, Yzerfontein or West Coast area between the afternoon of 7 September and the following days, or if you have boat, drone or shore CCTV footage, please contact the NSRI or local authorities and report your sighting immediately. Media reports list NSRI Communications (Craig Lambinon as a spokesperson) coordinating the response; local notices have provided an NSRI contact number for public leads. Anyone with information that might assist should contact the NSRI or SAPS as directed in the official appeals.
Practical notes and safety context
Kiteboarding is an extreme-sport environment where conditions can change quickly: strong winds, rips, sudden current shifts and cold water increase risk even for experienced riders. Rescue operations are complex and time-sensitive; the spread of search grids reflects attempts to model drift and cover all likely areas. Authorities urge the public to avoid sharing unverified rumours on social media and to defer to official NSRI / SAPS updates
