Some sailors may remember Lake Mangonia, it used to be the site of many regattas and so many wind surfers you couldn't find a place to setup. now it's always empty not sure why.
It is a sad story but why anyone would go out on a day like that in any kind of boat, it was nasty, probably a little worst than the Steeplechase weather.
The guy doing the teaching is the one that is missing, and he was thinking of sending a rookie out!
I don't think that gives sailors a bad rap as that was just plain stupid.