Kiter talking here, ex windsurfer. I get out on the water about 3 times more than I did while windsurfing having now taken up kiting (ligher winds, still jumping around).
If it was the case that every kiter had twice as much water time than every winsurfer (hypothetically), then the accident per waterman ratio would be higher for kiting obviouslly.
Speaking from personal experience here, no proof at all otherwise, but surelly there is some basis to this arguement
James
Statistics don't mean anything really, as far as the actual danger of a sport (or, as in the case of windsurfing, a religion) is concerned. It depends on individual behaviour. If you willingly (or unknowingly) do unsafe things, such as: not keeping gear in good condition, going out alone, tackling locations and conditions that are way beyond your level, etc, and generally neglecting safety basics, then you have a good chance of becoming a statistic. On the other hand, if you only do speed runs (but not too fast) at the Train on weekday afternoons, you will probably live to a ripe old age.
well i have a question, since im thinking about starting kitesurfing next summer... if youre a real woose on a kite and arent trying anything fancy, is it still just as possible for something crazy to happen to you? i get it that it has alot to do with how experienced you are and how well you understand your gear, how to use it, and the conditions... but how often does it happen that a good kiter just gets ****ed up? cos to be honest im **** scared of kiting, the power of the wind intimidates me and since i nearly drowned as a kid im scared of deep ocean water... yeah kiting is REALLY the sport for me :P but im aiming to overcome those fears lol but im planning on getting lessons (at least 3 2 hour sessions) cos i really dont wanna **** around with the power of those things... but just curious how much of this is outta my hands?!
don't worry Jaxstar, bow kites have removed about 80% of the danger and anyone can learn to kite now. They are like the wide beginner windsurfing boards of the kiting world. However; even if you weigh under 70kg as I do, and go out on 12m kite in 10 knots and hope to plane effortlessly, you'll probably be disappointed. There's not much difference in wind needed between getting planing on my freestyle gear with 5.8m sail or the 12m kite. I was originally hoping to be able to fill in the 8 - 13 knot gap by kiting. It appears I'd need a 14 -16m kite to do that and everyone tells me kiting becomes pretty lame with kites bigger than 12m
Ironic that in that YouTube vid that the guy drives off in an old hurst, he was lucky not to have been going straight to the cemetry in it.
Also in brief an experienced friend kiting at Inverloch a couple years ago had just launched his kite and had it in the neutral posn' above when a freak gust/uplift hit the kite.
He was picked up off the beach and launched some distance into a picnic bench and then again into parked cars. Mates rushed to his aid, no breathing and turning blue, CPR was started and kept him going till the Ambos arrived and took him to Wonthaggi Hospital where still critical and unconcious he had develop bleeding on the brain. He was then air lifted to the Alfred. With rehab he had to almost learn to walk again and improve his motor skills while nursing a hole in his skull where bleeding was relieved. He his fairly ok now but may never be 100%, but has turned back to windsurfing. Very lucky guy for himself and wife/kids.
Though windsurfing does have its dangers too but not as bad as kiting in general, heres me doing a move I've called the 'Crusifier'. Do a big jump, bail and make like a cross by landing on a mast tip, preferably your own.
You know the joke - fill in the punch line for yourself
What do you call 100 lawyers chained together at the bottom of the ocean.
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Saw a kiter without a board at least 1 km offshore yesterday, when my mate (a kiter) asked him if he was ok he said "yeah - just body dragging" - number 66 in waiting I think.
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Getting back to the stats:
Did you hear about the poleboarder who died waiting for 25knots ?
lol.
