Bad accident today at Stevenson

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

glad to hear - heal up - like Mark said "advanced launch"- Stevenson can range from super user friendly to crazy sketched out

vivid stevenson memories

I certainly used a number of cat lives rocketing the 2001 fuel across the window - squirelly wind - a bit too anxious to get away from the rocks - one time launched hot about 50yrds five feet in the air in 2 secnds aimed straight for the underwater rock - rolled my shoulders and missed it by 6 inches

lance_k · Since 04 May 2005 565 Posts Hood River Photographer

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

not positive but I think it got moved

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

The safest way to launch is the "Chris Anderson Launch"
This is done by launching your kite from the tiny rock beach while the kiter goes as far out in the river to tension your lines. When it's sketch that's how I launch.

jdmogile · Since 18 Aug 2008 21 Posts Stevenson, WA

Awesome!! Wonder what type of helmet he had on- it is truly a battle proven product. The first responder is elated he is okay. She is amazed he didnt fracture his skull and have back or neck injuries. Take care Ryan and look forward to seeing you again soon.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon May 25, 09 8:54 am

Two thoughts. One:I always thought that the riprap would be best covered with stacked sand bags but Stevenson is what it is but one head on riprap event would likely lead to death.

Two: for me, there has always been one overiding rule in kiteboarding and that is:
When In Doubt PUNCH OUT!! The only exception to this rule is when two kites first get tangled in the air. If this happens you need to do a coordinated release or face the one guy two kites of death nightmare.

Get well soon.

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

Talked to Stringer a bit more about this last night, sounds like a super scary event, hope the guy is okay and sorry you all had to witness it.

Kruse · Since 21 Oct 2005 63 Posts

Thanks guys. I am doing pretty well all things cosidered. badly broken elbow is not good but beter than what possibly could have happened. i have launched at stevie at least 50 or 60 times. this particular time i even launched my new kite succesfully then realised one strut was not inflated(different style struts than i am used to)
, I came right back, landed it, pumped up strut, and went for 2nd launch. At this point, right when launcher let go of kite(not launchers fault,bad day)
, it stalled, lines went slack long enough for chicken loop to come un done. immediatley after, this gust came through and hit kite hard at about 10 oclock. I SHOULD have ditched bar immediatley, as i have done in the past. maybe it was the angle or that it was my 2nd time out this year, regardless, it was 100% my fault, and of course the devil winds did not help. not sure what i was thinking but i tried sending kite to water?not sure if the wind caught it or what. made it halfway and basically went horizontal, 30 mph into the rip rocks. this all happened in about 2 seconds time. like i said prior to this i have ditched my bar perfectly and remained safe. please do not assume because you did something safely and correctly in the past that your body will automtically react the same way. gear changes, we all get rusty over winter. Have the safety talk with yourself before you need it. especially somewhere like stevenson, but really anywhere. also, the helmet did save my life.
Thanks to everyone who helped me onsite, you saved me as well. it is mostly a blur. Sorry to put you all through that scene. i am sure i will be back, but i will be laying low at a sandy beach for a while.
thanks
Ryan

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

Hey Ryan,

Really glad you are in one piece. Were you upwind of the big boulder, or did you hit the rocks on the bank, or...

Thanks,
Eric

Bettyboarder · Tue May 26, 09 9:04 am

Scary Ryan...glad your going to be ok bummer about your elbow. Hope you heal up fast.

Think your story just pushed me to finally start wearing a helmet.

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1781 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

Ryan i'm very glad to hear your not as badly injured as we thought on Saturday. It was really horrible being out on the water and seeing all the emergency vehicles arriving and people climbing all over the launch - knowing someone must have got hurt but nothing you could do but stay out of the way. Hope you mend quickly. Paul

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue May 26, 09 10:19 am **Re: rock**

Sella · Tue May 26, 09 10:54 am

Quote: made it halfway and basically went horizontal, 30 mph into the rip rocks. this all happened in about 2 seconds time.

Ryan thanks for posting the update/recap so we can all learn from what happened. You know the Stevie launch well but as you said, in seconds, things literally change and it's difficult to react. Nice call on the helmet. It's now your good-Karma bucket.

Really good to hear you'll ride another day.....heal quickly.

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

Really glad to hear you're relatively OK Ryan.
That was super scary.
Definitely chalk that one up to devil wind.
Now you just need to heal up quick or get yourself a camera!

fokiten · Since 04 Mar 2005 188 Posts Stoked

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

seems pretty reasonable to try to learn from others mistakes...
(he didn't die so its not at all disrespectful)

and you are correct that you generally don't have time to react - you go for the ride

but it is poignant that he has launched there 50 to 60 times - tells me that not to take the place lightly in variable conditions or get over-confident (and do shit like trying to jump into a running motorboat - was so close)