What a great thread.

Kiting 1+ full season.
My wake up call was getting lifted out of the water and dumped onto the beach, fracturing a my foot but fortunately being able to walk away. It still hurts. This gave me a big fright, but not big enough.

Two weeks later, I did the same manouver again with my big kite and this time got dropped onto the beach head first. Damage - broken neck and months of incapacitation.

Lesson learned: "learn" and "follow" the ground rules. Don't go out after a storm, don't sail in a direct onshore breeze, and don't go out alone. I think I'm in the running for a Darwin Award.

Graeme
PS. I made it back out onto the water this weekend and had a blast!

This was posted today on several kiting yahoo user groups.

Alex Caviglia, accomplished windsurfer and kiteboarder, former president and
founder of Adventure Sports, Inc., the North and South American distributors
for Cabrinha, Neil Pryde, Bic and Tiga, died in hospital Saturday, November
13, 2004.

Alex suffered a severe head injury in a kiteboarding accident one year ago.
Alex fought hard to recover, and was able to express his love for his family
and friends before he left us. Alex is survived by his wife, Silvia and his
children Bianca and Michael.

I would like to extend my sincere feelings of loss and regret for the
passing of this well known and liked man. I wish strength and solace to the
Cavigilas and their many friends in this sad time of loss.

Silvia Caviglia requests that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made in
memory of her husband Alex to "Alex's Bluewater Foundation." The "Alex's
Bluewater Foundation" is a non-profit charitable foundation currently being
formed to benefit victims of watersports related injury. Additional
information regarding this foundation will be posted shortly.

Donations may be sent to:

Alex's Bluewater Foundation
c/o Silvia Caviglia
5724 SW 131 TERRACE
MIAMI, FL 33156


Services will be held at:

St. Louis Catholic Church
7270 S.W. 120th Street
Pinecrest, FL 3315

With the viewing from 4 to 5 pm and mass from 5 to 6 pm on Thursday,
November 18, 2004. There will be a burial at sea at 2 pm, Saturday, November
20, 2004.



* This time of year, particularly November, brings periods of strong winds
and a sad legacy of accidents for kiteboarders throughout the world. Please
be careful out there.