Fatal Accident - Hatteras

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

Sad.
Just heard about it because it's a friend of a friend.
Seems a weather front spiked the wind and a few people got into trouble.

http://hamptonroads.com/2009/04/wind-spike-cited-kiteboarders-nc-falling-death

Mark · Wed Apr 15, 09 8:13 am

My condolences to the family.

kss · Since 24 Apr 2006 614 Posts pdx Addicted

yeah. terrible news. i was reading on the forum about it. I guess he threw a big jump, and then kiteloop, but it went bad. he was on a small kite, 6 or 7m. it was already after the wind had spiked up. sad news.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

That's terrible. Condolences to his friends and family.

Sella · Wed Apr 15, 09 8:31 am

Major bummer........condolences to the Holman family.

bustingbladder · Since 12 Jul 2006 387 Posts Seattle Obsessed

Yeah this sucks for sure! I am here in Hatteras as we speak and was about to go out that day at Jockey's Point but the wind just wasn't really worth the pumping for. So next thing you know this huge gust rolls in just about uprooting trees and dudes were out on 12m-14m kites. Many were tea bagged that day and several kites were lost from full kite emergency releases. Unfortunately we lost another member of the community and this guy was experienced.....

If your from the Mid-West like me, your kinda used to these types of Thunder Storms ( Big Dark Cloud lines with Lightning flashing off) that produce high winds in a moments notice. Out in the PNW and most of Canada, we dont really get these types of stroms that often.

I hate to speculate about the accident but Ive hit bottom several times this past week in the high wind storms that wev'e been getting here lately on a 6m. It is likely he did the loop and came in wrong knocking him out on impact.

When we lost Dan at Lake Washington two years ago it was the same type wind only more consistent in strength. High impact on the water surface resulting in internal injurys and knock out.

This is our sport and just like sky diving or base jumping or paragliding, we all assume the risk when we go out in high winds. Sad

Condolences to the family...

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Apr 15, 09 9:01 am

That sucks and I'm sorry for his family. I hope that he doesn't have kids.

It does bring up the thought that we are not invincible and when trying high ball tricks, there is a real chance of hurting yourself. Lets be careful out there people.

saleeba · Since 05 Mar 2006 238 Posts Masshole Stoked

this is such a terrible thing and my condolences go out to his family and friends. i think this is a good time to recognize that helmets might not be a bad idea in this sport. being knocked unconscious in the water is real and can happen no matter how experienced the kiter. sorry to bring this up at this time but as a health professional i cant help myself.

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

Pepi · Wed Apr 15, 09 8:57 pm

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Apr 15, 09 9:31 pm

I googled a bunch of different kayak helmets today. I tried on some shred ready helmets and they hit really nice. The do hicky thing on the back really tightens up nice.

Debating if I will actually wear the thing.

http://www.shredready.com/products/sscrappy.html

Nic · Since 21 Jul 2008 109 Posts Bend, Oregon Stoked

Pro-Tec makes a decent looking and inexpensive water helmet called the two face. Its pretty comfy and keeps the noggin warm in the cold water. I've been using it for 2 years in swiftwater rescue and no complaints so far.

http://pro-tec.net/water/helmets/two_face/two_face.html

saleeba · Since 05 Mar 2006 238 Posts Masshole Stoked

protech, bern, capix all have nice water helmets and super light. i havent been snowboarding without a helmet in years. they have come a long way over the past 10 years or so. my first helmet was a boeri and super heavy. i hated it but had to wear it after a serious concussion. my bern helmet that i wear now for snowboarding is so light i forget i have it on. it goes back to the harness thing, try a bunch on a wear the one that fits best. its like putting your seatbelt on when you get in your car. you do it even though there is a slim chance you'll get into an accident. same concept when you put on your helmet.

tonia · Since 15 Jun 2005 209 Posts The Gorge Stoked

Not to deter from the helmet conversation, nor the tragedy of the incident, but it should be pointed out in this conversation that, conditions like this should be avoided at all costs to begin with. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, with or without a helmet, you need to first be able to read current conditions on the water, and use proper judgement to act accordingly. According to the report of this incident, "this front was predicted all day."

As bustingbladder mentioned, we don't get these types of fronts here in the PNW. In fact, our winds and conditions are usually so consistent and predictable here that we get lazy and forget to "read" the wind.

Part of the problem is that kiteboarders never learn how to read weather systems. Many instructors/schools don't elaborate on the weather conditions discussion because of the pressure to get students out on the water, so it goes ignored. Last year I started elaborating more on "how to read the wind" in lessons. Ya, it's not as exciting as body-dragging, but I learned from my own experiences in squalls and frontal systems elsewhere that the topic needs to be addressed!

Please peeps... be more aware of your surroundings and conditions, use proper judgement, lose the macho attitude and don't be afraid to share your knowledge and opinion with other kiteboarders as well! And we'll all live happily ever after... right? Very Happy

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

mobettah · Since 13 Mar 2007 18 Posts Pickering, Ontario

Folks although there are many conflicting reports several folks that were there indicated that Tom had waited for the front to pass and had rigged appropriately (6m kite). He was not caught out on a large kite when the front went through. We do see lots of frontal action here in Ontario - that's what we kite - so I'm sure he would have been familiar with what happens on a front passage.

He was not a a beginner. Unfortunately it appears he hit the water hard, got knocked unconscious and was dragged and drowned. Several windsurfers thought he might be in trouble but because his kite was at neutral they thought he was okay. No bad intended on the windsufers - they didn't know.

An unfortunate accident. Condolences to his wife and two boys left behind.

The minnow · Since 26 Jan 2009 395 Posts argentina Obsessed