Hey guys

Just putting a note up here to say thanks to fellow kiter Carl, unnamed kiter on a f-One tribal and Mark from Brighton SLSC who were are massive help when i got into trouble some way off shore on Saturday.

I crashed my kite hard and blew out a valve on my leading edge. With no chance of getting the kite back in the air, unnamed kiter took my board back in while I wrapped my kite up around the struts and wound my lines. Carl then proceeded to body drag me back to shore. About halfway Mark in Zodiac came out and picked me up.

While the situation was never life-threatening, attempts at a self rescue only ended in me getting blown straight downwind with the shore curving away from me. Had I not got any assistance the only solution would have been to ditch my kite and swim back in.

It brings it home how vulnerable we are (particularly when it comes to random equipment failure) and make sure you only kite out as far as you can swim back. Do not assume assistance, apparently with my kite deflated and wrapped on itself I was very difficult to see.

Also, if there is a SLSC nearby, by all means go out and see if the person is ok, but send someone down to the club to alert them of the situation, it is their job and a zodiac is a much better way to be rescued than two people body dragging with kite in tow!

So big ups to the guys who helped out. If anyone knows Carl (Yellow rebel. normally kites at St Kilda) if you could please send me his details so I can reimburse him for the loss of part of his session!

Peace.

Good to hear your story. It doesnt take to much and you can end up in a bit of trouble. Some people on this forum dont believe in kiting around other people or taking someone with them that could raise some assistance if needed. Mainly the site admin that think it is a good idea to give self launching and landing techniques to newbs in the newby forum.

I think it is very important to kite around other kiters, as your story shows if they werent there your only option would be to ditch all of your gear and swim back. Then the gear would become a danger, hazard to other water users if you couldnt retrieve it.

I have been in a similar situation having to drag someone back with there rolled up kite in toe and it is really hard work, can be slow going and verry hard to stay upwind but at least you should be able to get them back to some shallow wate where they can make there own way in.

Big Ups.......

massive props to someone you respek.

Big Ups for hitting that ass man.

Damn Vipar - i miss out on a single weekend of kiting and you go and pop a valve!
Good to hear you got back in one piece and all gear was safely retrieved. I think some beer-therapy is needed by all involved. ;)