This more or less happened right in front of some of my friends. Word is a cold front came in, catching some by surprise and raising the winds from 10-15 to 30-40

www.peconicpuffin.com/the_peconic_puffin/2009/04/a-kiter-was-killed-on-the-water-in-cape-hatteras.html

FYI

Thats sad for families concerned...

As for the rest - its a good lesson for all you tryhard instructors or friends who dont ram down everyones throats, the mega importants of primary & secondary safety releases.

No one has EVER been hurt after releasing completely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lessons to be Learned

Despite all this chaos and the obvious 30-40 mph wind, we saw another more 'experienced looking' kiter from a different house launch on a small kite. He seemed to be in control, and started launching into giant jumps.

Did you read the eyewitness report at the bottom of the page, he was not on a oversize kite.

Sounds like he was knocked out as soon as he hit the water, obviously didn't expect such a rough landing and had no time to pull a safety. Very sad for his family.

Windsurfers and kiters were on the water off of Avon with big lightwind gear. A cold front blasted through around 5pm, with gusts up to 40mph, flattening any number of sailors and kiters. Shortly after two apparently inexperienced kiters got worked just off of Island Creek, a third kiter launched, and was seen intentionally getting massive air...30 foot jumps at least. He appeared to be quite capable. Then the kiter got into trouble during a high jump, hit the water hard, and was dragged several hundred yards downwind until his kite grounded on one of the islands.

All 2nd hand info but nothing necessarily reckless enough here to be criticising the victim for.
- 40mph = pretty ordinary Perth seabreeze strength.
- victim launched after the wind change = most probably on a reasonable kite size.
- intentionally getting massive air = not concerned & couldnt have been too over-powered.
- 30ft jumps at least = we all do that any day we are going for it.
- appeared to be quite capable = not out of control or struggling with the conditions.
- got into trouble during a high jump = nothing unusual. It can happen to the best of us - anytime.
- hit the water hard = definitely nothing unusual once youve stuffed it up.

Sounds more to me like he was probably just 'dead' unlucky. One more hard water impact which (this time) caused way greater than the usual consequences.
Tough outcome to someone who may well have been following all the rules. Dont be too quick to criticise. QR is a non-issue if you are unconscious.

Sad loss for all kiters who take the risk every session.
Condolences to those left behind.

Ok - this is for the obvious idiots who arent able to comprehend whats written in front of them with a broad open mind

The deceased was either knocked unconsious or Winded to the point of panic combined with being dragged...

Everyone whos ever tried any boosting (high) or going for tricks has probably come close to either at some stage...
its the Dark part of what we do but accept it !!!

For all the OTHERS getting dragged etc etc etc their the ones who pulling the Pin is aimed at !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Honestly - unbelieveable that i have to write this crap

puppetonastring said...

Windsurfers and kiters were on the water off of Avon with big lightwind gear. A cold front blasted through around 5pm, with gusts up to 40mph, flattening any number of sailors and kiters. Shortly after two apparently inexperienced kiters got worked just off of Island Creek, a third kiter launched, and was seen intentionally getting massive air...30 foot jumps at least. He appeared to be quite capable. Then the kiter got into trouble during a high jump, hit the water hard, and was dragged several hundred yards downwind until his kite grounded on one of the islands.

All 2nd hand info but nothing necessarily reckless enough here to be criticising the victim for.
- 40mph = pretty ordinary Perth seabreeze strength.
- victim launched after the wind change = most probably on a reasonable kite size.
- intentionally getting massive air = not concerned & couldnt have been too over-powered.
- 30ft jumps at least = we all do that any day we are going for it.
- appeared to be quite capable = not out of control or struggling with the conditions.
- got into trouble during a high jump = nothing unusual. It can happen to the best of us - anytime.
- hit the water hard = definitely nothing unusual once youve stuffed it up.

Sounds more to me like he was probably just 'dead' unlucky. One more hard water impact which (this time) caused way greater than the usual consequences.
Tough outcome to someone who may well have been following all the rules. Dont be too quick to criticise. QR is a non-issue if you are unconscious.

Sad loss for all kiters who take the risk every session.
Condolences to those left behind.

Such a great post puppet... legend mate.

Condolences to the family .

My bad here - point to fatwa.
I worked it out to 28kts Dont ask how