On March 13th, I celebrated one of my three Survival Birthdays. On that day, in 2015, I had a near-fatal accident that almost took my life. Me and my son went to Cuba for a vacation. Most of you know, one of many sports I do is kitesurfing. Even though it is a relatively safe sport, some accidents occur, as in all sports, and most of them are manageable. This time wasn’t the case.

In the wind gust, I fell down into my kite lines and they tangled around my neck and they started choking me under water. It would’ve been fine, if it did not get my kite into a power window and the kite went into a death loop with the speed of 39 knots = 75 km /hour wind, and I am under water choking.

In an attempt to safe myself, I lost my knife and I couldn’t release my kite because lines were tangled around my neck.

After fighting for one minute without air, exhausted, I managed to take one quick gasp of air. The second minute of my underwater struggle did not look promising at all; at this point I accepted death as inevitable outcome.

First thought “Thanks God I accepted Christ as my lord and savior, because now I can’t even speak! Would have been too late now”

Second thought “My son would have to deal with my death, and how it will affect my son and wife?” Third thought What will happen to people under my care and team? Who will take care of them?” Last thought “What a stupid way to die!”

Nevertheless, I had total peace dying. Praise God, He gave me peace; I knew where I am going, to Heaven! I did not worry for me at all. Most of my worries were about everybody else.

Thank God for a German kitesurfing instructor, Lud, who recognized that I am in trouble and responded to the situation and rescued me by catching my kite.

But truly, GOD SAVED ME! Because in the morning I was praying and God told me to ride closer to the shore. And I did! If I would be any further from the shore, away in the sea, by the time I would’ve been blown to the shore I would already be dead!

John C. Maxwell, the author of 79 bestseller books on leadership, said in one of his books “Today Matters” that “the most successful people in life are the ones who settle their critical issues early and manage them daily”. I believe the key word is “daily”.

NOW I practice DAILY!

  • I pray daily! Don’t want to miss God’s guidance for my life on even one day. I haven’t missed a day on my knees in 365 past days.
  • I train daily! I need to be strong that can buy me extra time in a critical situation.
  • I eat well daily! Need to have healthy energy sources.
  • I get my regular weekly adjustments! My brain needs to function at its BEST to make a best possible decision fast for me and others around me!
  • Daily, I am grateful for every day, every breath, and every second and opportunity!
  • I train to respond in: safety, procedures, protocols, situations. To be ready.
  • I listen more and speak less than before.
  • I never mess up my priorities: GOD-HEALTH-FAMILY-PROFESSION
  • I am getting more grateful with time, because every day is a bonus and a gift! That’s why it’s called PRESENT!

May Lord Jesus keep you and your family SAFE, and in good Health! DAILY!

Just do your part.

Blessings!