Now I know why helmets are used!

wrhammer · Since 17 Jul 2009 40 Posts Battle Ground

I figured out why some wear a helmet last night. Was at the sandbar on an 11m at about 5 pm... ikite said the wind was at 15 but out at the end of the bar it was more like 30! I was sheeted out all the way cruising along and catch a nice fat gust, yards my back foot out of my board... I go tumbling and the board comes up and wacks me on the forehead. Now I'm walking around with a nice lump on the noggin today.

Might not be a bad idea to pick one up... wouldn't be good to get ko'd out there Smile

lineman · Since 05 Feb 2009 170 Posts Stoked

I was riding a wave on my TT & wiped out. Next wave graciously had my board in it
& delivered it to the back of my head. Almost K.O.'d me, helmet is a real good idea.

lineman · Since 05 Feb 2009 170 Posts Stoked

I was riding a wave on my TT & wiped out. Next wave graciously had my board in it
& delivered it to the back of my head. Almost K.O.'d me, helmet is a real good idea.

Blokt · Fri Aug 07, 09 4:53 pm

Helmets are a good idea, when landboarding for sure.

I haven't been yet, but I'd hate to get Knock Outed Wink

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

I started wearing a helmet from day one on a kiteboard. I've never been hit with my board, I've never been hit with anybody else's board, and I've never been hit by anybody else...but I've never regretted the decision to wear one.

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 442 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

I have been wearing a helmet as a newb... went out the other day without it and felt naked. Good to know that if something does happen, your head is protected. Cool

pdxmonkeyboy · Sat Aug 08, 09 6:48 pm

people that ride TT's in the waves deserve a smack in the back of the head. Laughing

lineman · Since 05 Feb 2009 170 Posts Stoked

Yea, but it didn't help, I'm still doing it. Smile

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Here is a link describing the death of a Scottish man, who died Friday from head injuries incurred while walking his kite:

http://www.nikiteforum.com/forum/viewthread.php?forum_id=23&thread_id=3252&pid=21068#post_21068

A helmet could have made a lot of difference.

fokiten · Since 04 Mar 2005 188 Posts Stoked

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Someone posted on KF that opening the above listed site will put you in risk of downloading a Trojan virus, if you don't have antivirus software. So,

Here is the text from the nikiteforum.com:

to close off on this tragic accident.
i now have more solid details of what went wrong.
Alan was on land at the national watersports centre on the island of cambrae off the coast opposite largs at the mouth of the clyde where he is an instructor.
it was a gusty day he was showing beginners kite launching (it is believed)
he walked (kite in the air) across towards the water onto the concrete slipway and slipped on sand that had blown onto the concrete.
he lost control and caught a gust he got lifted/dragged.
hit rocks killed instantly

i only took a second. its a very harsh reminder to keep your kite low in gusty wind and wear a helmet.

"gone but not forgotten"

fokiten · Since 04 Mar 2005 188 Posts Stoked

thing is,

this no solution at all---once you're pulled off your feet with a low kite it has MEGA potential to ZOOM.

If lack of solid footing is your problem, then adding a horizontal load is last thing you'd want to do.

Remember the low a go smo has finally, after a fucking decade figured out that a gust doesn't become passive just because you have your kite in the ground induced turbulence zone...

The bottom line here, is a low kite can actually fling you twice as far...

Am I suggesting you keep your kite at Zenith?

No, I'm saying don't think you're bullet proof because some well meaning half-wit gave you a guarantee your low kite cannot go ballistic...!

Hey, its getting better (awareness) it used to be your magic low kite guaranteed you'd be dragged into the water....

Progress is being made, too bad it's cadaver driven...

Eh? what can you do?
Regards
fo

what you can do is "let them eat cake" and don't try to sell them kiting as fun new action sport...fun? yeah, but with a mean streak.

experence? it don't matter...

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Aug 11, 09 8:39 am

kitezilla, thanks for the thread copy. Good thread for sure. It is a very grim reminder that proper safety gear and techniques are essential. The importance of these techniques when in close proximity to hard objects can not be understated. Luckily for us, there are not too many launches here surrounded by riprap. Maybe it is time to helmet up at Stevenson though, I have thought more than one time "man, I would hate to get drug into that shit".

G.Reed · Since 30 Jul 2006 51 Posts

can I get some advice on a good kiting helmut, and where to buy it? All I seem to find is those protec ones and the size doesn't quite fit.
Also, about Stevenson.. it's not just the rocks you can see! I broke my big toe at the launch there, being dragged a few feet right when the kite was put up (common enough) and my foot collided with a nice sized rock underwater.
Is there such a thing as a bootie that has a protective cap around the toes? a broken toe is a serious pain! and it takes forever to heal if you keep re-injuring it!

sincerely,

accident prone Wink

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1871 Posts XTreme Poster

Like Gary, the ProTecs don't fit me, or my oldest son--they fall back big time. The Gaths seem pretty light on impact protection to me, though the fit is good.

Eric

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Check out a kayaking helmet if you want real protection. Maybe it'll fit better too. They have more styles too.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

mine has lasted 10 years:

http://www.sweetprotection.com/snow/#/hardware/helmets_kayak/