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techno900
Joined: 28 Mar 2001 Posts: 4161
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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While I am a relatively conservative windsurfer, about 90% of my injuries during the last 30 years have been on the beach.
One of the worst was in the late 80's at one of the early US Open's in Corpus Christi. 200 sailors with multiple rigs on the beach/grass and a cold front/north wind moved in. I got tomahawked by the mast of a flying rig in the lower back. Several went flying. Not out of commission, but a month of soreness in the lower back/ribs. |
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beaglebuddy
Joined: 10 Feb 2012 Posts: 1120
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Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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Nearly every single serious kiting accident involves a sudden gust of wind that knocks the kiter off his feet and drags him bouncing off the beach and airborne into a solid object on land.
It always seems to happen so quickly and violently that the kiter is unable to quick release.
What is needed is a land/launch mode that will automatically quick release when enough force is applied. Just switch to the normal mode when underway. |
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techno900
Joined: 28 Mar 2001 Posts: 4161
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Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:42 am Post subject: |
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At another US Open at the same venue, I watched a kiteboarder get hit by a gust while on the shoreline and was dragged about 50' over a 8' high, 20' wide rock jetty. He walked away, but I don't know the extent of his injuries. He was not a novice. Side onshore winds. |
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loopless
Joined: 30 Jun 1997 Posts: 426
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 3:12 pm Post subject: |
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At our local wave-sailing spot, when the wind goes light side-off (10-15) the only people on the water are windsurfers with 100-120L FSW boards and 6.0-6.9 sails. With that sized (modern gear) you can carve hard bottom turns and off-the lips and pretty much shred it up.Its a world away from the crappy gear from even 10 years ago.
The kites are sitting on the beach - particularly since the move to strapless boards.
Of course whens its 12-16mph and side-on, the kites are all over us. |
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jingebritsen
Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371
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jingebritsen
Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371
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nw30
Joined: 21 Dec 2008 Posts: 6485 Location: The eye of the universe, Cen. Cal. coast
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Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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I've got one very good friend, and one acquaintance in a wheel chairs for the rest of their lives, due to kiting.
I've got no friends or anyone I know, in the same condition from WSing, and not even close.
Anecdotal I know, but that's my reality. |
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joe_windsurfxxx
Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 67
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Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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my condolences to both your friend and colleague
i must be getting old - cuz all this extreme stuff is just "freakin me out"
even Olympians are now competing with broken ribs and casts on their arms
is this now the norm ??
does society have a role to protect us from ourselves ?
stunt artists and "evil knievels" go over the stunts and safety features to ensure as best as possible - NO injury
can kiting be made safe ?? at least safer ?? better safety release ??
then again, i am one to talk ... i broke my shoulder windsurfing on ice
other people's biggest fear is if i break through the ice
just hope we all try to be a little more careful, stay out of those gusty, straight onshore or off-shore winds and learn to look out for each other !!
Last edited by joe_windsurfxxx on Mon Feb 17, 2014 8:18 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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cgoudie1
Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 2599 Location: Killer Sturgeon Cove
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Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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My Kiter friends say "Kiting is as dangerous as YOU make it"
I think if you're not endangering someone else (that would include
depriving your offspring of a father or mother), you should be able to
make your own choice. Life without risk isn't really living in my opinion,
but you should definitely understand who that risk affects besides yourself.
I also am aging away from risky behavior, still,
"No Thrills for the Cautious"
-Craig
joe_windsurfxxx wrote: | my condolences to both your friend and colleague
i must be getting old - cuz all this extreme stuff is just "freakin me out"
even Olympians are now competing with broken ribs and casts on their arms
is this now the norm ??
does society have a role to protect us from ourselves ?
stunt artists and "evil knievels" go over the stunts and safety features to ensure as best as possible - NO injury
can kiting be made safe ?? at least safer ?? better safety release ??
then again, i am one to talk ... i broke my shoulder windsurfing on ice
other people's biggest fear is if i break through the ice
just hope we all try to be a little more careful, stay out of those gusty or on-shore winds and learn to look out for each other !! |
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MalibuGuru
Joined: 11 Nov 1993 Posts: 9300
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Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 3:04 am Post subject: |
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Supposed to be double overhead surf at Jalama tomorrow. That would make windsurfing as dangerous as kiting. And the odds of the day costing you $1000, much higher for the windsurfer.
I'm still trying to figure out whether kiting an overhead wave is as fun as windsurfing it. When you watch JP at Couldbreak, and then watch a kiter on the same day, it appears that JP is just getting a way cooler experience. But on waist high days, I think the kite is the winner. |
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