Event site kicker

drussell30 · Since 20 Jul 2011 5 Posts Gorge Kook

Some vid from a kicker session with Slingshot riders at the Event site last week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXxdZmPF09s&feature=youtu.be

lekaks · Since 02 Apr 2008 151 Posts Hood River, OR Stoked

I've done and continue to do a lot of dumb things so it's difficult for me to say anything-- but kicking into a foot of water? In front of the Event site?

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

PinkyBoarder · Since 04 May 2011 45 Posts Seattle, WA

pros and non-pros alike are all at risk of breaking their necks when throwing down in the shallow water. just like any other extreme sport. you take the risk. The important thing is to remember that risk and respect it. you may think its enough water, but the whole area can fluctuate daily. scout the area and underwater terrain before throwing down and landing on a big rock or just sand.

Sorry, I get touchy about this subject after Theo's accident last year. I dont want to see anyone else have an accident like that. especially with limited water rescue capabilities...

krazedkiter · Since 08 Jun 2009 183 Posts Florida Stoked

Just some general comments:

One thing to remember. This sport is too early in the game or just not recognized enough by the general public to distinguish between a "Pro" rider or just your regular recreational rider.

The actions of us all, Pro, noob, recreational, semi-pro, semi-noob, kook, grom, OG,...whatever is grouped into one user.

When you kite in scenarios that are beyond the bounds of safe kite riding.....whether that be riding a 12 meter kite in 40 knot wids, jumpung off mountains with a kite, jumping over objects with a kite, doing kiteloops 10 feet from shore or someones family, etc. makes you either a stuntman or irresponsible rider and has nothing to do with being a "Pro" or a "non-Pro"..

When someone causes an accident while doing any of the above, the attention it gathers does not distinguish the incident of that of a "stuntman", or "irresponsible rider", so the outcome of the incident usually results in all of us being classified as one of those. The incident was caused by a "kiter".

This is what results in bans or worse.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Dont ever do anything dangerous people, you might give kiters a bad name!

Mark · Sun Jun 17, 12 9:22 am

There's dangerous and then there's stupid...

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

drussell30 · Since 20 Jul 2011 5 Posts Gorge Kook

Just to set the record straight (since I posted the video), the guys are landing in the channel where the water is over 6' deep. The riders are top-level pros and what they were doing was clearly within their skill set.

hoodkiter · Since 10 Jul 2010 95 Posts Hood River, OR

high consequence.
its why gap jumps exist in every other extreme sport, and why skateboarders grind really gnarly handrails down stairs. What separates the Pro kiters from the average joe kiters is that Pros like their kiting sessions to have high consequence, so that when they survive the day, its a huge accomplishment.

And hitting a kicker over a rock jetty looks badass.

forrest · Tue Jun 19, 12 8:22 pm

It's not a big deal. Those guys scoped the water depth. Nothing wrong with an exhibition of some talent.