risks / injuries

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 526 Posts portland Addicted

dangler, salmon slayer;

((i'm starting a new thread, as you hijacked someone's attempt to find how theo is doing))

i completely agree with what you have to say regarding theo; injuries, risks and such.

i don't know if preaching such things will get through to anyone, but there is no harm in trying. i'm glad you said what you did, and i hope people think about it.

right before spring break, my high school brought in some dude who turned himself into a paraplegic in a drinking / driving accident. he told us not to make the same mistake he did. the take-away message for most kids (myself included) was "sucks to be that guy". but maybe it changed the risk/reward equation for someone

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

It's all a matter of perspective. How many kiters are seriously injured or die every year? How many get injured in terrain/slider parks?

Skiing has some good comparisons. There are a lot more skier/snowboarders in the world than kiters. About 40 people a year die skiing/snowboarding. Snowboarders are 3 times more likely to get injured than skiers. Does that mean ban snowboarding? - No Way. Last year at Meadows - 2 snowboarders died in the terrain parks. Ban terrain parks? - No way. Building features and terrain/slider parks carries more risk. Just know the risks and weigh that with the fun factor......

"According to the National Ski Area Association, skiing and snowboarding are relatively safe: 40 deaths and 40 life-threatening injuries per year nationwide. Considering the 400 winter resorts hosting 10 million annual snow riders at an average of six visits, that's a little more than one per million visits. Compare that to the yearly 39,000 auto deaths, 3,600 swimming drownings and 900 bicycle deaths.

Mt. Hood Meadows has had nine deaths since 1999. In 2004, two snowboarders died, one after hitting a log. In 1999 a skier died after hitting a tree. In 2007, two died: one suffocated in deep snow, an affliction called snow immersion asphyxiation. SIA is a little-known danger gaining more awareness. During the banner snowfall of 2010-11, nine died of SIA in North America after falling into tree wells upside down, deep snow or creeks, and then suffocating.

Last season, the worst ever at Mt. Hood Meadows, four snowboarders died. Two were terrain park deaths and one died in deep snow in a creek. In years past, most deaths at ski resorts resulted from high-speed impact with ice, rock or a tree.

Asked to compare snowboarders and skiers when it comes to injuries, Murray says: "It's hard to tell if it's the device or pilot. Put a young guy on anything and he's more likely to get hurt." Nowadays, snowboarders are more injury-prone: skiers have 2.6 injuries per 1,000 days skiing; for snowboarding it's nearly triple at 7.0, according to the NSAA. "

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 486 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

Has anyone tried to estimate how many kiteboarders there are in WA, OR , or the USA for that matter? Any industry data out there from market studies?

Dern · Since 11 Jul 2010 545 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

windmtnpete · Since 13 Sep 2009 46 Posts Home Valley

Does this mean Dangler is no longer gonna play chicken with the barges? Barges ain't gonna like this Laughing

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 526 Posts portland Addicted

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

lekaks · Since 02 Apr 2008 151 Posts Hood River, OR Stoked

See? Fame has a price...