Hi fellow kiters, to all you heroes out there! Most of you must have heard of the "accident of the blonde" today... yepp, it was me... and I am fully aware that this time (it works when the police cars stop me) my hair color doesn't help me escape any responsibilty of what happened today and you guys are talking about...

I am writing this post for 3 reasons:

- WHO IS HE????? - did an amazing thing today at Botany Bay

A) To search for a hero as I need to thank him appropriately (interpretation of appropriately is subject to be discussed)
B) To thank everyone who helped, scolded and instructed me afterwards (Nick: you are my instructor of choice!!!)
C) To describe what happened today in the hope that it helps to prevent this from happening to anybody who reads this
D) To express that I am deeply grateful that miraculously nothing bad happened and that I really feel ashamed – and I am still not giving up trying to learn kitesufing (as australian streets are not made for my former passion for 600F’s…)


- WHO IS HE????? -

Describing it in a short form (a couple of Gin and Tonic’s later): I have made 2 terrible fatal mistakes:
1) did launch the kite towards the street (instead the water)
2) did forget to hook myself in

So…: when the situation occurred that my new kite (bought 3 days ago – note: I actually bought this model – a NORTH EVO – because of his so-called fantastic relaunching capabilites – after having got stuck in the salty water so many times… why God didn’t you mix some sugar in it??? ) has been launched with the help of my new friend Sang “somehow” just “took off”, and I realized (thank God, Allah, Budda or whoever… I have been told by my instructor Nick: “if anything scary happens: PULL THAT SAFETY THINGY!”) that there was no “safety thingamagic” to pull!!! I let go of the bar as I was already flying towards the electricity wires (I admit: I saw the YOU-Tubes... After letting go the bar (obviously I like myself the most, typical leo…) I saw that lady at 11 o’clock where my kite was rushing towards to… I noticed with relieve that she saw my (evil) Evo heading towards her and took refuge let me adrenaline work and “let go mentally” (being fully aware of the fact that there are 4 lanes of traffic just THERE where it is flying towards to!!!!!)
Long story cut short: a hero
- WHO IS HE????? - (European appearance, white long sleeve top, black and white board shorts --#8594; WANTED!!!) – a person abstractectly run towards the street and must have picked up Evo from the 2nd line of the busy street. That’s the person I am trying to contact – please make yourself known. I believe you saved some lives today and I really want to make everybody aware of it. You just did it, gave me back my kite and went on… I wish I knew at least your name…)

- WHO IS HE????? - do you know him?

I herewith apologize to all the people that I frightened and I thank everyone who participated. I am really grateful that nothing worse happened. I risked a lot with all the stuff I have tried out in the last 34 years of m live (ask me about how lucky I was not hurting anybody on my skiing or motorbike accidents in Europe…) and I am really lucky to live in a caring community!

To everybody reading this: I REALLY feel ashamed that I forgot to hook myself in and ignored the fact that I stood at the wrong side of the beach, and I know that I am exceptionally lucky that I had fantastic people around me!!! Therefore, my neglectfulness did not cause any damage – not cause any accident on anyone on the beach, nor anyone driving along by car!!!

THANK YOU! To the person in White and Black: how can I contact you for sending you a couple of beers or so…. I am so sorry, I was so relieved and full of adrenaline that I forgot to REALLY recognize what you have done/avoided!

- WHO IS HE????? -

P.S. I the words of Mahalia Jackson (amazing grace): “I was blinded - but now I see”. Gosh, I was so sick of the Sydney weather - so I booked a flight to WA - and I had the time of my life... but now I'm back and all I want is to fly...

P.P.S. I wonder how you guys (the ones I usually observe from the secure cosy warm beach doing your amazing stunts jumping / flying in the air) DO IT!!! How???? All I want to do is to fly.... I have been trying for 3 months... what/how much more to give up???? I endured 3 months of bad weather, escaped a couple of weeks to WA (those stories are for another thread) and came back and made fatal mistakes that put many people at risk... shall I really focus on going back on a sailing boat just looking pretty and do what the skipper tells me to? I know that I can work hard even in bad weather but I don't care that came 1st in the race for the 2nd time - as I really would prefer to be able to fly with my kite...

And you weren't using a kite leash.

Crocofly said...
I wonder how you guys (the ones I usually observe from the secure cosy warm beach doing your amazing stunts jumping / flying in the air) DO IT!!!

Simple... we learn from our mistakes. The titanium holding us together is a constant reminder too.

...in regard to the rest of your story, I didn't quite get it... so you launched the kite when you weren't hooked in, then let the bar go and the kite went in the parking lot?

I'll second the need for the answer to the safety leash question.

glad no-one was hurt on this one. A tough lesson to learn and I'm sure you will never do it again. I would get a new partner to lauch your kite in future and take the time to check everything is ok before they launch you.

Hi Vanessa,

I was kiting at Botany yesterday, but didn't see your accident.

The conditions were absolutely horrible yesterday. The gustiest conditions I have been out in in a while. Definately only for the more experienced riders.

Sounds like you are already getting lessons from Nick, an excellent instructor, so you are on the right track.

I suggest making a mental check EVERY TIME before you launch. Use any method you can that will stick in your head. A good one is using your fingers as key check points. i.e.
thumb = straight lines
index finger = all lines attached to kite
middle finger = safety attached to 5th/front line
pinkie = Hooked in
etc. etc, but as long as it works for you.

Anyway, you'll get there. Keep at it, see you on the water.
Tom

tmiddled said...
index finger = all lines attached to kite

A great example of a dumb mistake most of us have made at some point

Good post

Trant said...

tmiddled said...
index finger = all lines attached to kite

A great example of a dumb mistake most of us have made at some point
Good post

Vanessa,

I'm really glad you're OK as I see you down there and you are making great progress but yesterday's dirty NE was a no,no for inexperienced kiters.

I'm sure you won't give up as you have the guts necessary for kiting.

It's very easy to forget your safety checks in the excitement.

I've had my share of kitemares while learning and now I always do a pre-flight check in steps 1,2 etc from my body to harness, chicken loop, down the length of the lines to the kite. That way everything has been assessed as 'OK to fly" before the kite is launched.

Thanks for sharing as it is a good reminder to everyone to launch towards the beach.

Go Girl!


Kathy

Thanks for your responses and the tips.

I just want to make clear that there is nothing wrong with the person who has sold me the kite. Also, the advice regarding lessons is very good. I have had lessons with Nick at Botany and with someone at WA. Both very much focused on safety. So it is just me who forgot - yes guys, I SIMPLY FORGOT to hook on and put the leash on. I somehow was used to always been told everything and the first time I am out there trying to fly my kite that happened.

Yes, it's stupid. And yes, the post is a bit long and maybe not in good English but I wasn't sure if everybody would have understood if I had written it in French, German or Italian.

I'm so glad that nobody got hurt.

The person I would like to get in contact wit (the one who got the kite from the street) was wearing a white long sleeve top and black & white board shorts. If anyone knows him, please let me know.

prea said...

Can you repost when your not pist

sorry?

Jmorson said...

I dont know what the hell you just said! If that story ever had any potential to be interesting, you just killed it.

Go easy-English may not be her first language.

Sorry to hear you had such a bad first run Vanessa. I Recommend you run through setup procedures whenever possible as well as seeking help from either instructors or DVD's if theres anything you still aren't sure of before next session. I always have my leash connected to my Harness and clipped onto my harness hook so that i can't hook into the chickenloop without first attaching the safety.

Alex, the tip with the clip is a good one - will do so in future.
And I have been watching the DVD for hours today (I must have hurt my neck when falling and therefore had to stay quiet in bed) and I'm sure that I am going to dream about.

Yes, guys, English is not my first language, sorry if I don't understand some of your comments. Yepp, being blond and European can bring out one sort of "aussie" behaviour, I was fully aware of this when starting this thread

I still haven't heard who that person was who reacted so well and got the kite from the street...

Me too sounds like he/she 'who is he" is on crack

okin said...

This story hurts my brain

If it makes you feel any better Crocofly, I have had the odd 'blonde moment' myself from time to time...

Similar story to yours, although I use the excuse that I forgot to hook safety leash on cos it was the first time I'd taken out a new kite that had a different system. Then while self launching, kite drifted down wind before taking off (at a great rate) and chicken loop somehow popped out even though i'd hooked in and thought I'd set the donkey dick in place.

Fully powered out of control 12m kite in 20+ knots, got dragged face first for a 100 or so metres down the beach. Was loathed to let it go because: A) Brand new kite, and B) Even though it was out in the middle of nowhere - north of Carnarvon W.A. - there were campers downwind and I had visions of them being decapitated by my lines

Lucky for me, kite crashed into some bushes in the dunes and no harm was done. Even my dignity remained intact as there was only some old guy camping that witnessed it. It would have made a great 60 seconds on my bloopers video clip!

One thing for certain now is the absolute first thing I do every time I setup to launch is hook the safety on. If you're prone to being a bit of a ditzy blonde (which is absolutely no crime - we all have our talents and abilities) I can highly recommend getting into habits such as ones mentioned above.

Bon Vente

J-P

Hi,

thank you for your encouraging words and after having talked to a few people and heard many similar stories, I know that this will not be the end of my kitesurfing but it definitely has made me aware of the risks and I will take some actions.

I also feel that most people in the scene are very helpful and friendly (I had my kite setup checked by someone, got my harness adjusted by someone else, was chatting about the wind etc.) - one thing I really like about this sport. I also chose the location as it is usually a "beginners spot" as I have heard that a bit further up the beach people would not like to have beginners showing up (now I know why).

Anyway: I am still trying to identify the person who reacted so well and got my kite away from the street - who are you?

Vanessa