Almost drowned today. Got caught in the impact zone, released my kite, slight panic as my safety line began to pull me under. Did not think clearly, eventually released safety line, swallowed mouth full after mouth full of sea water, gasping for breath as wave after wave continued to roll over the top of me. Seriously did not have much left in me as i continued to gasp for air. Two fellow kiters helped me out, one man was able to grab my cartwheeling kite, getting his own kite caught in my lines and ruining his afternoon for my sake. Another man, Andrew dragged me to a sand bank and prevented me from drowning. Thank You. I hope to pay it forward.
Glad to hear to hear that after the beating your ok, good karma coming to the lads that helped.
Glad to know it turned out okay man. I agree with okay you owe someone's a beer or two or three
I love happy endings. [}:)]
Seriously though, glad all ended well. Saw a kiter drop his kite in the drink far out a Long Reef yesterday. His wife/gf was walking up and down the beach asking people if we'd seen him. One of the other kiters stayed with him as he swam his way in with kite rolled up in some pounding waves. Must have taken him a good hour... Karma... goes around, comes around. Like herpes, but in a good way.
The 'Thank you' goes out to every kite surfer, not just the two blokes that helped me out! I believe every other kiter would pretty much do the same. We all know the inherent danger in the sport we love and pursue, we all know how quickly things can go pear shaped, regardless of previous experience. Obviously experience helps, but i have seen well experienced get helicoptered to hospital last season.
Glad your ok, sounds bad, I'm sure those that helped appreciate the thanks.
Great thing about the kite community that everyone knows sometimes you need help.
My next comment is not directed at you, if you've got seasons under your belt you'll agree.
BUT some kiters think they've mastered the sport when they've learnt to kite up wind.
Getting caught inside in the surf is a bad... no a really bad situation.
Kiters are rushing the basics skill level it's not about how many tricks you can do but how fast you can get yourself out'a the sht.
The champion's are the kiters that save the bacon of those out'a their depth.
Interesting topic.... when to ditch and paddle in (Life First) you must have been close.
It was very quite scary and was my first time kiting on the sunny coast, I had never had to assist someone before and almost felt helpless as I watched you get dragged under over and over again. First thing I did was ask the closest kiter if he had a kite knife which he did and tried to get him to go over and cut you free but luckily by then you had figured it out and released from the kite but you were obviously exhausted. So I went to try and get the kite very worried about getting caught in your lines...which I did becuase I forgot I was unhooking and when I dropped my kite into the water to grab yours my kite unhooked in the outgoing water of the river!!!
Seriously thought you were going to drown though and was getting ready to release my kite to swim over so I am glad it didnt come to that.
Jackson
Kitepower Qld
Argh!. thats my worst nightmare. I've managed to avoid any serious pounding thus far. but its only a matter of time. the more adventurous you get in the waves, the more agressive the greater the chance for mayhem.
i norrowly escaped a severe pounding last week solo kiting in 30+ knot storm.
waves where pitching and dumping and the size of a buss. the white wash from one of these dumpers was bigger than me. i said to myself. no! i will not go out and risk the big sets riding solo.
but i found myself sneaking out. and blasting back in.
on one of those occasions i pulled into a pitching wave that barrelled and dumped. i narrowly avoided a major pummelling and poped out just intime for the lip to smacked me on the back as i shot out.......
i'm of 2 minds to punch out or not in those situations.... close to shore. yep punch out of the kite and swim in. 3-400m out with current and back pull from the waves. do you stay hooked to the safety line sacrifice the kite and get dragged into the beach? as soon as you punch out completely there goes your primary flotation device.
Does a seat harness make a difference when getting 'towed' by the kite?
I generally stay away from anything over head so I haven't confronted whitewater bigger than say chest high, but wearing the nappy, I've found my head has, to date, always been easily above water during the drag. I prefer to do it with the board under me but mostly this hasn't been possible...
I hope you got your board back too?
