www.peconicpuffin.com/the_peconic_puffin/2008/08/kitemare-in-tropical-storm-fay.html

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=40462

nice camera work!

Wet Willy said...

BOOSTED!!!!!



(I had to say it!)

That's nice, make a joke about someone who's in a coma, and might die...

Why should we feel anything but contempt for a moron that would attempt such a stupid act?

What do you mean by a stupid act? Going out while its windy???? Sure there was a storm on, but experienced people often go out in stormy weather. And from the video it doesn't look excessively windy.
I've seen people out in conditions like that. It's a risk, but it is FUN.
I don't think he was jumping on the beach, watch the very start of the video. I think it started in the water. Before he hits the sand the first time, his legs aren't flapping about, but they are staying apart. Looks to me like his board was still attached.

Hey Stabber, I guess you have an indestructible kite that can't break. Who knows, maybe he had a line snap. How about pushing yourself a little. Going out in harsher conditions. It takes a little risk.

TOO BLOODY RIGHT IT WOODNA!!!!
There'll no fun to be had when I'm around!!
Specially when its windy!!
So don't let me catch you tryin!!!
Miss ya Dave :-(

Not that windy Dawn Patrol????

WTF - Check the palm trees in the b/ground dude. Plus it was a tropical cyclone and they all know when a cyclone is approaching, they have some of the best early warnings in the world.

Of course, it's terrible that he got badly injured, no one is saying that's a good thing, but these guys were taking a crazy risk being out in that sort of weather.

If something bad is gonna happen, it's gonna happen on that day.

Yeah I saw the palm tree. It was blowing, but it wasn't excessive. The kites on the ground seem to be hardly flapping, and all the people you see have clothes hardly flapping.
Its hard to tell without being there. Sometimes it looks windy when it's not, and visa versa.

This is a quote from my friend Ryan who is a friend to Billy Parker, a pro rider for Liqued Force.

"this guy Kevin is friends with my friend Billy Parker. A couple of his buddies were there when it happend. this guy has been kiting for at least for 4 years and is a really good rider. he was on a 7m, had launched and was headed for the water when a 60-70 mph gust hit him, two of his buddies grabbed on to his harness as he lost control, but they could not hang on either and then wham the kite nuked him into the sky at which time the cameras began rolling."

My question is even though he was only on a 7m, how does an experienced rider not pull his safety if there is enough time for his friends to try and grab him. Looks like even seasoned riders freeze up.
Hope he gets better.

I'm with you...Respect

observe the weather conditions
ask locals about weather patterns and local effects and conditions

I'm sure if you go back over records for satelite images, barometric pressure, wind speed observations there would have been some warning to suggest...hey might be an idea to keep that kite down.

We have had dead hot steamy still days with blue skies and no clouds where sudden freak gusts come in but looking out on the horizon there was visible warning like dusty clouds, or tall cumulus clouds etc.

Dont kite in storms

don't storms....?

Well kiting in storms is OK! but you need to be kinda careful.
Careful of the beach.
Careful of downwind. Especially if your going to try a jump.
Water is Ok! let loose!!!!

Dont let people touch your kite when it is really windy. Human error becomes a big problemo because the wally will miss the kite or can't hang on to it.

When its really really really windy, The fastest way to land you toy, is the best way.

It's not a good habit to handling your lines. Take my sliced hands from experience.

Anyway, if you have the gear for it, storm kiting is fun

Wet Willy said...

qfmike737 said...


Dont kite in storms

Almost getting it right there, matey...just trim it down by 2 more words...

Wet Willy said...

*sigh* it was an intelligence test, and you guys didn't do too well...

Willy, stop trying to troll the kiters and get back to the poling forum. No one is even taking your bait.


He might be silly kiting in a cyclone but watching the clip still made me feel sick. I hope he recovers ok.

A sad tragedy but definately not an accident. Tropical storms had been predicted and all the warning signs were in. That does not an accident make!
I also agree with those who say that (mildish) storm kiting can be fun - if you are extremely talented, experienced, knowledgable and aware - but even then never ever ever in locations with all that civilization and obstacles around.
If you choose to push the extremes then you MUST choose locations where there is as little chance of bad consequences as possible. Wide open spaces with (relatively) soft sand dunes. No people, no roads, no buildings, no power lines etc.

The recent predicted storms which we saw on the news cutting a swath of building and vegetation damage through Melville was the same day three kiters decided to test their skill at Melville beach. Direct onshore with gusts in the area to an estimated 60+kts. No beach at all that day, wave spray washing across the road, trees and footpath and road within metres of the shoreline and houses across the road. No reported injuries but one kite in a house and one in a tree. What lunacy and what price are all other kiters going to have to pay forever for that one exercise in absolute irresponsible stupidity by a few.

qfmike737 said...



This is the worst publicity we can have for our sport. This kind of media coverage wrecks it all for other responsible kiters.

To the contrary I think its the best coverage we can get. Bistanders aren't getting hurt, only the kiter, and if it saves a life by someone acting more responsibly when they watch it then it wasnt an accident in vane. Also, might keep some of those 'why do i need lessons' people off the water before getting professional instruction.

Hope the guy fairs up, anyone heard the latest? out of a coma?