Kinsley Wong update

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

Sounds like he's doing a bit better but still in the ICU

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/07/19/1220810/kiteboarder-kinsley-wong-still.html

Nak · Wed Jul 21, 10 8:26 pm

This guy is one of the true Nice Guys of kiteboarding. Hell of a rider too! Get better fast Kinsley!

pismo805 · Since 24 Aug 2010 1 Posts New Member

As some of you may already know, Kinsley ThomasWong (founder/owner of XtremeBigAir) was involved in a serious kiting accident in mid July at Pico Creek in San Luis Obispo, CA. His road to recovery will be a long one. He suffered spinal injuries that have left him paralyzed from the neck down due to the swelling. His out of pocket needs (after insurance) are substantial. The following link provides info on his status, and a link for any donations one can make on his behalf.

http://kinsleydonation.weebly.com/how-you-can-help.html

Happy news for Kinsley and wife Jamie...their son, Taizen (their first born) is due August 31st. Arrangements have been made for Kinsley to be present for this wonderful event.
Thanks to all for good vibes and support you send their way.

Steve and Marti (Pismo Beach and the Gorge)

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Aug 24, 10 3:11 pm

Positive vibes sent his way, that sucks big time.

Kurt · Since 04 Nov 2005 73 Posts

Kinsley's wife just went into labor.

Nak · Tue Aug 24, 10 8:54 pm

Donated. This is a tragedy of immense proportions. I'm heartsick. Sad

Hang in there Kinsley.

tyrant · Since 08 Jul 2009 71 Posts HR

Donated. Kinsley is an amazing guy and shares the stoke of life and kiteboarding with every breath. Dig deep brothers and sisters....

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

Just donated.

I've never met him in person, but if it wasn't for Kinsley, I might not have started paragliding. I figure I owe him for 10 years of the most fun I've ever had.

When I first got interested in kiting, I was looking through Kinsley's XtremeBigAir .com site and noticed that besides a kiting section they also had a paragliding section. I started looking at the paragliding section and decided right then that I was def going to have to try that!

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

marina · Since 16 Jan 2006 150 Posts California coast Stoked

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and support!

Pleased to announce that Taizen arrived Aug 26th at 4:45am and is 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and 18 inches long. Jamie and baby are doing well and look at the proud new papa!

We will be hosting a fundraiser sometime in October in San Luis Obispo with an online option to donate and also bid or get raffle tickets for some great items. Within the next few days, we also got 100 cases of wine donated by one our our friends that will be offered at 50% or more off retail with all proceeds to benefit Kinsley and family whose out of expenses in year one are expected to exceed $85K. Website with all updates is http://kinsleydonation.weebly.com/index.html

Bettyboarder · Fri Aug 27, 10 9:11 am

Congrats on the new baby!!!

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

Talk about someone who spread the stoke for kiteboarding. Terrible to hear.

Not to sound nosey, but I am interested in what happened. He is a very experienced kiteboarder. If this could happen to him, we may all be at more risk than we believe. I wonder if there is anything to be learned from this awful accident.

marina · Since 16 Jan 2006 150 Posts California coast Stoked

most info and all updates are also posted on Kinsley's website http://kinsleydonation.weebly.com/index.html

RE: the accident,nobody saw the entire incident from start to finish but from what we've been able to piece together:

Kinsley was doing unhooked tricks approx 200 feet out from shoreline, possibly closer. His kite luffed toward the horizon, and he moved kite to other side of wind window to reload it. A gust came (when they got there it was blowing 10-24, when I got there about an hour later it was blowing about 15-24, possibly lower) and launched him out of the water horizontally, superman style. He hit the beach with his body at full speed which knocked him out, then the kite relaunched and lofted/dragged him into rocks. This part of the beach is where the rocks/boulders start and there is only about 50 feet there at most. It was simply a very unfortunate set of circumstances that all came together to create this unfortunate accident. Kinsley has lightning fast reflexes but there simply was no time for him to pull his safety and not sure if he had, if it would've made much of a difference.

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

Based on the wind direction and terrain, was rotor a factor?

Tommy · Mon Aug 30, 10 5:13 pm **Ugh...**

Never met the guy, but this could well be me at any moment... My check, larger I wish it could be, is in the mail. Be well, Kinsley!

marina · Since 16 Jan 2006 150 Posts California coast Stoked

rotor not a factor in this incident I believe. Both Kinsley and I started paragliding in 1994 and are very familiar with this phenomenon.

The lofting was caused by the kite going slack, then powering up at the same time as a strong gust hit (on the water, cliff only about 10 feet or so, maybe 15?), with kite pretty horizontal/not overhead. There is point that affects wind but more on inside much further upwind from where Kinsley was at. There are also massive kelp beds on the outside that keeps windline from making it in all the way to shore.

On my way to see Kinsley and new family today:-)

Portland Pete · Since 08 Mar 2005 145 Posts HR Stoked

donated for his recovery

Yardsale · Since 29 Mar 2005 387 Posts Portlanastan Obsessed

Very sad... my best wishes go out to Kinsley and his family. They said swelling was causing the paralysis... does that mean he could regain some movement? I know these injuries are always wait and see... just wanted to know what Doctors are saying...if anything. Sad