drifting kite rescued at dougs

lance_k · Since 04 May 2005 565 Posts Hood River Photographer

anyone know anything about this?
http://forums.iWindsurf.com/viewtopic.php?t=15473

jsj · Since 11 Sep 2006 83 Posts Hood River Â

Without mentioning the kite type, I watched it get lost at Rowena on Sunday (semi-crossposted to iwindsurf).

An adult male had a rigged SLE kite ready to go as my group walked up. His launcher was located down in the water and the kiter was up on the rocks... his lines were snagging and I hopped over to help out. My friend asked the guy "are you sure you want to do this?" to which the reply was affirmative.

Initial release was ok, the SLE kite was tip down in the water and the kiter shook it several times to clear the water, at which time he was able to bring it up. He was immediately overpowered and struggling. As the kite passed 11 o'clock he was dragged (struggling and standing) across the rocks until the kite pulled him up and over the downwind bush. The startled (beginner) windsurfer just past the bush looked up as the guy sailed overhead. Right about that time I noticed two things:

1) the kite was unhooked
2) the kite leash was not connected

Because the launch was from the east end of the park, with water downwind, the consequences were minimal. That said, it could have been much, much worse. What went through my head was "... this is what head injury looks like, call 911".

@@#)*@# like this is what gives kiters a bad name.

There are slippery rocks at Rowena
It is very, very crowded
Its gusty, even for the gorge and thats saying something

Peace

john

jahmbi · Mon Jul 28, 08 11:38 pm

WOW A DRIFTING KITE WAS CAUCHT BIG FREEKING DEAL GET A FUCKING LIFE .. Twisted Evil

..TROLL

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

jsj · Since 11 Sep 2006 83 Posts Hood River Â

jahmbi-

drifting kite is nothing.

the guy flying through the air over uneven rocks with no helmet is the big deal.

jsj

humbled kook · Since 29 Jul 2008 2 Posts New Member

Thanks to all who expressed concern about my stupid manuver. I would buy beers for all who had to witness it however wearing a ski mask to a bar is not allowed.
Thanks to the person who grabbed the kite. Owe you several cold ones.
Kite boarding should not get a bad name, so relax, I am a windsurfer who knew better and should have had more respect for the conditions. I should get the bad name. Embarassed

I understand why you guys like the sport, You can get a lot of air!!

forrest · Tue Jul 29, 08 7:30 am

lance_k · Since 04 May 2005 565 Posts Hood River Photographer

Mark · Tue Jul 29, 08 7:42 am

After watching the event Shocked

Please double check several things.
1)kite size. (wind was going from 24-44)
2)of course line and prelaunch flight check list.
3)Feel free to ask advice or when advice is offered please run thru items 1-2 in your head and make sure.

Glad you are ok. Defiantly a scary situation.

Welcome to the sickness. Hope to kite with you on a better day!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Rowena can be super sketch - even if you have a few hundred sessions under your belt.

Welcome to your first of many spankings...

Onad · Tue Jul 29, 08 7:53 am

Sounds a lot like my first launch attempt at Rowena back in 2001 on a Fuel….

Needless to say, my kite received a nice bath of coca cola from the local residents as it sat on the grass waiting to be deflated and taken home with tail between the legs… Embarassed

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

24-44... Eff that. That's beer weather.

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

does anybody know what size kite it was? 24 -44 mph is definately 5m conditions Shocked

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jul 29, 08 11:08 am

yeah, welcome to the sport. please kite at sauvie or the coast until you know what the hell your doing. (I am only half kidding here).

Unfortunately, you can't avoid the fact that a shit load of windsurfers witnessed you potentially cause harm to yourself and others. Now they are on there little forum hashing it over. Whether your a windsurfer or not, it only hurts our attempts to share launches and keeps the incorrect notion that kiteboarding is dangerous and the two can't mix alive.

At least it didn't happen at rowena.

At any rate, shit happens and your not the first KB to get spanked. in the interest of learning from your mistakes, can you tell us what went wrong or what you did wrong?

humbled kook · Since 29 Jul 2008 2 Posts New Member

I was not the one kiting. I was launching for someone else and understanding it was sketch did not want them to get hurt(mother of my children and all) Should have packed it all up then and there I agree. To the fella who asked me if I was sure? No way I was sure, however by the time you asked me I knew what was happening and knew nothing else but to get the kite in the air. if I had known that I had become unhooked I would have let the whole lot rip all by itself. Not a big air guy. If you know of any windsurfer bitching on a forum, post which one and i will be happy to tell them what a dumbass I am, not your sport which rocks.