Just wondering exactly how many experienced (independant riders who are current (didnt have 5 year break) and competent riders have actually died while kitesurfing that wasnt due to a heart attack etc etc

It seems like its usually classic scenario a beginner or not independant kiter hot launches near obstacles. Or maybe the old days death loop drownings. And of course the coffin dodgers hearts giving out mid session.

Ive heard of plenty of people who were good at kiteing unhooking near obstacles and getting dragged into it breaking bones tearing tendons etc etc but no real deaths once your good. Crathern had that horrible accident and few other big names but it seems really difficult to actually die if you know what your doing....



Anyone know where can find some numbers on this?

Any in australia?

I know everyone gets really emotional over deaths in sports but its a very important learning tool for everyone involved. So that we can prepare for the situation if it arises.

causehecan said..
Just wondering exactly how many experienced (independant riders who are current (didnt have 5 year break) and competent riders have actually died while kitesurfing that wasnt due to a heart attack etc etc

It seems like its usually classic scenario a beginner or not independant kiter hot launches near obstacles. Or maybe the old days death loop drownings. And of course the coffin dodgers hearts giving out mid session.

Ive heard of plenty of people who were good at kiteing unhooking near obstacles and getting dragged into it breaking bones tearing tendons etc etc but no real deaths once your good. Crathern had that horrible accident and few other big names but it seems really difficult to actually die if you know what your doing....



Anyone know where can find some numbers on this?

Any in australia?

I know everyone gets really emotional over deaths in sports but its a very important learning tool for everyone involved. So that we can prepare for the situation if it arises.

Likely to decreases with the wind wing craze

Several per year.

Track down rickl on kiteforum. He keeps a spreadsheet.

Rick is a friend of mine, lives in Florida and is VERY competent in multi sports and freediving. He keeps meticulous records and likes to track the safety of all his sports. He is a wealth of knowledge and investigates as many accidents as he can or has time for in order to prevent them in the future. He is not all doom and gloom at all, and he takes some amazing photos. I enjoy his work.

Peahi said..
Interesting topic: I wonder if experienced kiters are more likely to get seriously injured after a session due to tiredness/fatigue etc coming in after going hard.

while newbies more likely to have accidents launching

But I have seen kiters who would be considered "experienced" doing some pretty dumb stuff.

From my memory experience kiters are pushing the envelope of conditions more so than newbies. So launching/landing is tight gusty spots in high wind. Taking on stormy conditions, Using kites too big for the gust swing because the can "handle it"

Plummet said..
Several per year.

Track down rickl on kiteforum. He keeps a spreadsheet.

Cheers plummet ill hit him up... Better not be your alt account to just find out who my kiteforum username is :P

Dave Whettingsteel said..
Maybe 2 in the Midwest in my time kiting here.

What i feel you are missing is that its a very raw and painful experience to have a fatality or near fatality in your close community. Be it sport or familiy.

Why are you asking this question?

In the aviation world we get a yearly report and actually paid to write stories on our near death experiences so we can all learn from it.

Also hells promote reporting.

Turns a dark side of things into a bit of a positive. Keeps the sport growing and learning.

Personally Im asking mostly tho because holly jeeeesus ive kited while on lsd ,meth stoned and so drunk i cant walk and hardly see countless times. Ive kited while at night at 4 am after being thrown out of the pub. Marooned on islands etc etc just cant seem to figure out how people are dieing doing this sport. Just keep 50 meters from obstacles and your right as rain and im one of those muppets who are unhooking loops 10m from the setup area

So you know research. And bit of a topic for you all to get the juices flowing.

Ill be hitting up old mate and hopefully he lets us republish his stats on here.

I had an accident a few years ago now.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Thanks-for-saving-my-life?page=1


My own fault due to not maintaining my equipment.

Actually i tried acid while gliding. Its so so so so so not a good idea. And was just enough to really feel it. Drinking and flying much worse tho.

Way it goes is your relying entirely on repitition and muscle memory to save your ass. As saying goes you can drive back from pub everynight for a year no dramas. butyou could do it blind folded but second something changes on that route like a dog or a bird maybe detour your toast.

Its no different for kiteing. But for me the ride home from the pub is pretty much any kite condition you can think of. Cause after all thats where i do my drinking.

Anyways so just wondered what the inevitable goat in the road will be for me.

Being surrounded by water can only hit water still seems fairly safe.

Ive had plenty of back edges and seeing little black squares flying around tho so maybe a concussion/drowning combo it will be for me.

SaveTheWhales said..


Well said in this cartoon
Geez why would this post even be on the forum, get a life and enjoy ever day , so so much dribble on this forum now from certain people
Get off the computer and get in the water??

amirite said..
maybe a cry for help

especially that you have two personalities

its cause our handles are both compound words
so we must be one and the same

causehecan said..
I feel like im in that crazy norway film the hunt

maybe you are a citizen in the book *nineteen eighty four

I wish i was you guys.

amirite said..

causehecan said..
I feel like im in that crazy norway film the hunt

maybe you are a citizen in the book *nineteen eighty four