Tropical Storm Fay kiter lofting

Bonetti · Since 29 Apr 2007 411 Posts So. Cal./Oregon Obsessed

I've seen shit like that go down, plus it's happened to me (maybe not that bad) but even I forget to punch when I should and I've been kitesurfing for years! Kitesurfing/kiteboarding is dangerous for sure!!!!!

snowmeltriver · Since 21 May 2006 102 Posts Little Kentucky Stoked

Lots of exposure, probably not great for the sport.

Hope this guy recovers fully.

http://www.breitbart.tv/html/156013.html

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

I've also hit the ground like that (hard sand)
You become stunned and cannot think well enough to react
your only safety at that point is your surroundings
and if the kite stops

Friends are calling and telling me about it
"saw it on the today show"

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

It doesn't make kiters as a breed look particularly smart ("hmmm hurricane, I'm going kiting!") But I'm not convinced this is a bad thing for the sport, I think potentially it could save lives in the future.

Its like if you saw sport bikes without knowing that people die on them, you'd think: "Hell that looks fun, I want to try!" People respect the danger of traveling on the freeway, jumping out of airplanes, riding giant waves... but flying kites is still good safe fun!

Then there's the aspect of us all respecting the wind a little better. Every time there is another kite accident I think its good to look at the info and reflect on what mistakes might have led to it. We can all learn.

Now if this guy took out some people in the process of getting dragged instead of just running into a wall, that'd be bad.

Diggy · Since 25 Nov 2006 342 Posts Gorge to Coast Obsessed

I agree that accidents provide an opportunity for us all to learn and become more aware. The media attention helps people considering kiting think it through a bit more.

Of course now I have to deal with Mom whom lives in Florida and already worries to much about the things I do. I've already received a couple phone calls from family saying "see what could happen Diggy."

That went down fast, that guy moving. Motivated me to plan on practice hitting my safety a few times next time I go out just to work on the muscle memory because when it hits the fan that’s all you got.

Glad the guy is recovering.

Mark · Tue Aug 19, 08 5:24 pm

Way to go FOX. They show the video then interview a big wave surfer about the accident...... Rolling Eyes

Link

HoodRat · Since 30 Mar 2008 199 Posts Stoked

i'm chalking this one up to the 'dumbass' category.
And anyone else who wants to kite in a hurricane.
el oh el.

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

Thats classic..."Waves of consequence"..... I'd like to think most of us would be able to pull the safety before disaster set in, because I'm sure some of us would have been out there if we could have been-- probably even drinking PBR's, yelling hoo-haa! Going out in a tropical storm/ hurricane could be just one degree away from fatality, I usually like to keep at least 2 degrees away... okay 1.5.

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

kite
No helmet
Rain
Gale force winds

Not sure he was "ok" to begin with.

P.S. I can't believe that I'm actually agreeing with a talking head on Fox News.

Mark · Tue Aug 19, 08 7:30 pm

still think it funny/weird that they go to a big wave surfer to talk about the accident. Obviously Fox thinks that kiteSURFING is SURFING.

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

A thinking broadcast journalist would have interviewed a local kiteboarder or any kiteboarder. Then again, no one is really thinking here...

Kitesail · Since 23 Jun 2006 108 Posts The Gorge Stoked

Business as usual......People parading around knowing everything Rolling Eyes

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

FOX may as well have interviewed a mountain biker... wtf Confused

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

They should have interviewed this guy again:

Link

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

barrel and get so pittted.....Like that dude!!!"

Phil that is some funny shit!

LOL

I do hope the kiter is ok. Did anybody see the other kite next to him that didn't get launched... Don't fly your kite at 12 noon!

dangerD · Since 27 Jun 2005 223 Posts Bingen Heights Stoked

Dude...
Big Wave + Hurricane = Sick Shit Bro

When Im out there in "wind of consequence" (for me thats 45+)
I make sure to have multiple Safety Meetings beforehand,
so when I pump my big kite, just upwind of my condo,
I know I got my head straight, yo

lks · Since 06 Nov 2007 117 Posts Anchorage, Alaska Stoked

...be forewarned. From a friend of a friend:

So apparently on
> that second lofting toward the building he hit the cement with both
> knees and stop before actually slamming into the building. there was tons of blood and all the meat and skin were
> missing from his knees, down to the bone. He was unconscious at the
> time. The paramedics showed up and he woke up for a bit and kept
> saying ³I don¹t want to go kitesurfing anymore. Please don¹t make me
> go kitesurfing...². He may have slipped back into a coma from what I
> heard.

Pretty awful,
LKS