Crowds may be annoying, but murder is not the answer. A social media video shows a confrontation between a kitesurfer and swimmer in Brazil quickly escalate after one man pulls a gun and attempts to shoot the other.
The dustup went down at Arubinha Beach Tuesday. Located in Arraial do Cabo in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Arubinha has long been a popular kitesurfing destination due to its favorable winds and flat water. The relative isolation of the beach also meant the teeming crowds seen at many other Brazilian beaches were absent. However, according to some locals, that’s starting to change.
“It’s unbelievable and revolting to see the extent to which the lack of oversight and disrespect have reached Arubinha,” wrote valcruz.music in the caption to a video of the confrontation. “For over 23 years, Arubinha has been a sacred and world-renowned temple for kitesurfing. We, the kitesurfers, brave the mudflats, respect nature, and pay to access and sail there. However, the overexposure on social media has turned the place into a lawless land — where even on weekdays we no longer have the security to practice our sport.”
The complaint accompanied a video of two men arguing on the beach – one in a kitesurfing harness and the other in swim trunks (with a gun on his hip, for some reason). According to local news news reports, the dispute began after the kitesurfer allegedly bumped into the man’s family, with two children, in the water. What started as harsh words quickly turned physical, with the man in trunks throwing a punch at the kitesurfer. As the surfer backs away, the man then pulls out his gun and seemingly attempts to shoot him. The gun does not fire, so the man attempts to clear a jam and try once again – still unsuccessfully. After more shouting, he walks away and attempts to play off the incident, waving to bystanders.
“The problem with Jet Skis invading and stopping in the middle of the kite lane without any respect for navigation rules and the safety of the kitesurfers has been happening for some time. But this Tuesday, the situation reached the limit of absurdity,” continued the kitesurfer behind the Instagram handle, valcruz.music. “Because of a simple splash of water in the sea, a kitesurfer was verbally assaulted and threatened with a firearm drawn from his waist by a visitor. The episode was recorded on video and could have ended in an irreparable tragedy. This is the first time we’ve managed to document it, but the feeling of insecurity and abuse has been around for a long time.”
We’re still trying to figure out if there were any legal ramifications for the man after the fracas, which could have easily turned deadly. Stay tuned.
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