Mystery of missing windsurfer Werner Schoenhofer in WA, 1997
- Werner Schoenhofer, a 27-year-old German windsurfer, went missing while windsurfing at Point Moore, Geraldton, on January 20, 1997.
- His board and shredded wetsuit were later found, with evidence suggesting a fatal encounter with a tiger shark.
- The coroner concluded that Schoenhofer likely died while engaging in a sport he loved, despite the inherent risks.
In January 1997, Werner Schoenhofer, a 27-year-old experienced windsurfer from Germany, was on holiday in Western Australia with a group of sailboarders. On January 20, he went windsurfing with his friend Klaus Maier at Point Moore, Geraldton. The two became separated, and when Maier returned to shore around 5:30 PM, he found the conditions had worsened significantly. Concerned for Schoenhofer's safety, he reported him missing shortly after. A search operation was launched, but Schoenhofer was not found that night. The following day, his windsurfing board washed ashore at Coronation Beach, approximately nine nautical miles from where he had last been seen. Additionally, a cray boat skipper discovered his shredded wetsuit and damaged harness in the ocean, which were later confirmed to belong to Schoenhofer through DNA testing. Investigations revealed that the wetsuit bore bite marks consistent with a large tiger shark, suggesting a fatal encounter. Witnesses reported seeing Schoenhofer being knocked off his board about 2 kilometers offshore, and an examination of his board indicated it may have struck him on the head, potentially rendering him unconscious before he fell into the water. The coroner's report highlighted the risks associated with windsurfing in the area, particularly due to the presence of sharks, which had been reported in greater numbers at the time. Schoenhofer's family expressed their grief over his disappearance but accepted that he died while pursuing a passion he loved.