Jacqueline "Jacqui" Kuni - RIP

Jacqueline "Jacqui" Kuni collapsed while doing the sport she loved with the people she loved at the spot she loved. A beautiful life ended far too soon, but her spirit and love of our sport and friends will live on in our memories.

Our Bay Area windsurfing community learned of Jackie's passing when SUba-rude posted a note about the sad event on the iwindsurf message board titled Tragedy at The Stick today:

Posted: 30 Apr 2010 20:20
I am so sorry to say. We lost one of the best sailing comrades ever. Jackie, the nice lady that drove the van and organized the BBQs was brought ashore unconscious. I cannot say her condition, only that the EMT were unable to revive her. It happened suddenly. One minute she was out having the time of her life, the next I see someone swimming to the beach with her. Even if you don't know who she was find it in yourself to say a pray for Jackie. Asked the Ambulance Driver and he said she is going to SF General. They would tell me nothing on the phone. Not even if she was there. She was a real gem. First rate person.

Hats off to the young man that rescued her. He swam easily 1/4 through strong winds and ebb currents and got her ashore. He kept her head above water the whole way. I never met him but its nice knowing we have sailors like that around.

The news was later reported by the SF Examiner in Windsurfer fights for life after rescue off Candlestick Point

May 1, 2010:  A windsurfer was in critical condition Saturday after being dragged to shore by a doctor who was also windsurfing in the chilly waters off Candlestick Point on Friday evening.

The woman, only identified as Jacqui, was face down in the water for about two minutes, according to Dr. Juan Vargas, who pulled her to shore at about 6:30 p.m. Friday. Her injuries are not believed to be windsurfing-related.

It took about five minutes to swim to shore and another five minutes for paramedics to arrive, Vargas said. From the beach, she was taken to nearby San Francisco General Hospital where Vargas is the chief of obstetrics and gynecology.

Another windsurfer on shore was a physician as well — an emergency room director — and helped resuscitate the woman.

According to the SF Examiner: SF windsurfer, 66, dies after water rescue

May 3, 2010:  A woman popular among Bay Area windsurfers died at the hospital Sunday morning following a striking rescue from the waters near Candlestick Park on Friday evening. The woman, identified as San Francisco resident Jacqueline Kuni, 66, likely had an aneurysm, according to doctors.
Dr. Juan Vargas, who was also windsurfing that evening, swam Kuni to shore around 6:30 p.m. after she had been face down in the water for about two minutes.

“I knew it was Jacqui because I recognized her sail, and she was not breathing,’’ said Vargas.
He jumped in the water, kept Kuni's head afloat and screamed for a fellow surfer to call 911 while he swam her to shore for “what felt like an eternity,’’ he said, but guessed was about six minutes.

Two physicians tried to resuscitate Kuni while they waited for the ambulance to arrive and take her to San Francisco General Hospital.

Jacqui's Memorial Posted: 03 May 2010 11:32 by chand2

Jacqui's memorial will be this Saturday morning at Candlestick Park. We will meet at 9:30 am. Location in the park TBA.

There will be a paddle-out to place lei's in the water and scatter a few ashes. If you want to participate in the paddle-out, bring a board with you.

We are creating a book of pictures and stories for the family. If you have any pictures of Jacqui, or any stories to share, please contact Ellen at chand2@earthlink.net.
Thanks.

KevinKan posted this note and photo of Jacqui

Posted: 03 May 2010 13:30
This is one of the only pics I have of Jacqui. She was still in a good mood and smiling even after the wind died and she got stuck downwind and had to come in on the rocks.


She was one of the regulars at Da Stick, and it was strange not seeing her yesterday. Such a nice lady, and it's nice to read all the nice stories about her here.

I remember I dropped a board off to her late last year around Christmas time, and she had a bottle of wine and some caramel corn all wrapped up w/ a bow for me.

It is people like Jacquie that greet everyone with a smile, stay late to make sure everyone is in safe or are there to give a helping hand to beginning sailors or experienced sailors unfamiliar with the local conditions that make this such a special sport.

Rest in Peace Jacqui