Tragic as that is and I feel sorry for the person :( it was only a matter of time as there are to many kite schools there. No permits and probably no insurance.
From what I hear from a very good source they only have a matter of time infact this should be there last summer teaching down there :).
Get better dude and get back out there when you can.

That sucks bud - get well soon.

MAMILS........... middle aged men in lycra Shorts.

Forcetwelve said...
how did he snap his leg? landed on it badly?

Getting a lesson!!

Possibly related from Gumtree....

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/safety-bay/other-sports-fitness/2013-ocean-rodeo-7m-razor-kite-only/1013045795

Hi, I am selling my 2013 Ocean Rodeo Razor 7m. I am selling this kite so cheap as I broke my leg on my first day here in Oz and am flying back on Saturday.
This kite has only been used a maximum of 5 times, and is a current 2013 model.
This kite comes in the silver colourway and comes kite only.
This kite will work on any 4 line bar, the kite has a one pump system and is Ocean Rodeos main kite in there line up.
Here is what Ocean Rodeo have to say:

Advanced Freeride performance! The premier kite in our line up and the most popular kite we've ever sold, the Razor is back for its third year as our hooked or unhooked Freeride and Surf / Wave kite. This year's Razor builds on the incredible performance and attributes of last year's ground breaking Razor FST with a refined bridle and canopy for an even more stable kite in all wind conditions. The 4 strut Razor offers riders explosive power, ultra snappy turns, amazing down the line drift and the most power per sq meter of any kite in the line up.
The Razor sits deep and pulls hard, built for twin tip riders who like to ride lit and wave riders who like to charge, hooked or unhooked. FST Wingtip technology results in a massive wind range, added turning speeds and an easier re-launch, all of our kites fly with any of our current bars, Fusion, Freeride or Freestyle and all feature our unique Direct De-Power System.

I leave for the UK on Saturday but am happy to leave with a friend if you are interested and would like to bank transfer.

Thanks


Like it says the razor offers explosive power and snappy performance!

Speedy recovery to the injured op.

Something went way wrong for that injury and if he is under instruction its not good.

cbulota said...
Let me guess: straight on shore winds with gusts up to 25 knots +, narrow crowded beach full of obstacles, kite too big for learning with long lines and no council permit to operate a kite school....just saying...any respectable instructor should refuse to teach in such dangerous conditions for the student's sake. What kind of message are they sending to the student anyways, that it's OK to learn in On-shore winds?

I'm actually wondering if it's possible to have proper insurance without an actual council permit?

Not very good guesses really ......
- its not straight onshore. But I agree it would be better if it were a little more cross-on.
- gusts werent anywhere near 25kts and besides the IKO/BKSA upper limit on lessons is 25kts.
- absolutely no obstacles - nothing but dunes behind the narrow beach.
- only no permits because council refuses to issue them - thats about to change finally.
- yes our insurance is sound for any location where kitesurfing isnt a 'banned' activity.
But its a very well scripted post - pretty damn obvious.

The incident involved a student who was almost at the end of his program. All the necessary safety rules had been attended to and the student was up & riding independently. How is an instructor able to avoid this type of 'accident' at that stage of instruction. You cant.
The student took his eye off the kite - as you do - and was not yet familiar enough with bar feel to realise it was dropping into the power zone.
Very unfortunate but unavoidable once the skill level of the student has reached that stage where an appropriately powered kite is required to tune in riding skills up on the board.
The student & his mate are both ambos so they were professionally conscious of the risks involved.
Both they and the fully qualified & experienced instructor were all of one mind in considering it an unfortunate accident.
The dude is in 'good-as-can-be' condition for someone stuck in plaster & on crutches. Frothing at the prospect of getting back on the water in 6 to 10 weeks.

But the other comments re the instruction at Woodies are spot on.
As it is an 'open' beach, under control of 2 authorities, policing is impossible until such time as joint decisions are made which define what is & what is not permitted.
Both authorities were alerted to problem of 'no control' over 3 years ago. The ridiculous & dangerous number of instuctors (using the term loosely) and students on the beach at any time was predicted that long back. Many down there are untrained, uninsured and use gear which is often totally inappropriate.
It is only recently that moves are underway by Cockburn Council & Dept of Environment to develop an adequate "Beach Management Program" which will limit activity to that which is safe & appropriate for all beach users.
Only then will instruction in the area be able to be controlled and appropriate.

perthfun7 said...
A quick question Puppet. With so many people teaching on the metro beaches is there anyway of telling who is qualified instructor / insured etc without the obvious t-shirts / rash vests of some of the bigger kite schools in Perth?

Nope not really. Students should always ask to see credentials of anyone offering lessons.
If you are concerned only as another beach user wanting to avoid the cowboys then all you can do is watch & assess from a distance - as you should kiting around anyone under instruction.
If its a metro beach chances are it wont be a legit operation.

puppetonastring said...

cbulota said...
Let me guess: straight on shore winds with gusts up to 25 knots +, narrow crowded beach full of obstacles, kite too big for learning with long lines and no council permit to operate a kite school....just saying...any respectable instructor should refuse to teach in such dangerous conditions for the student's sake. What kind of message are they sending to the student anyways, that it's OK to learn in On-shore winds?

I'm actually wondering if it's possible to have proper insurance without an actual council permit?

Not very good guesses really ......
- its not straight onshore. But I agree it would be better if it were a little more cross-on.
- gusts werent anywhere near 25kts and besides the IKO/BKSA upper limit on lessons is 25kts.
- absolutely no obstacles - nothing but dunes behind the narrow beach.
- only no permits because council refuses to issue them - thats about to change finally.
- yes our insurance is sound for any location where kitesurfing isnt a 'banned' activity.
But its a very well scripted post - pretty damn obvious.

The incident involved a student who was almost at the end of his program. All the necessary safety rules had been attended to and the student was up & riding independently. How is an instructor able to avoid this type of 'accident' at that stage of instruction. You cant.
The student took his eye off the kite - as you do - and was not yet familiar enough with bar feel to realise it was dropping into the power zone.
Very unfortunate but unavoidable once the skill level of the student has reached that stage where an appropriately powered kite is required to tune in riding skills up on the board.
The student & his mate are both ambos so they were professionally conscious of the risks involved.
Both they and the fully qualified & experienced instructor were all of one mind in considering it an unfortunate accident.
The dude is in 'good-as-can-be' condition for someone stuck in plaster & on crutches. Frothing at the prospect of getting back on the water in 6 to 10 weeks.

But the other comments re the instruction at Woodies are spot on.
As it is an 'open' beach, under control of 2 authorities, policing is impossible until such time as joint decisions are made which define what is & what is not permitted.
Both authorities were alerted to problem of 'no control' over 3 years ago. The ridiculous & dangerous number of instuctors (using the term loosely) and students on the beach at any time was predicted that long back. Many down there are untrained, uninsured and use gear which is often totally inappropriate.
It is only recently that moves are underway by Cockburn Council & Dept of Environment to develop an adequate "Beach Management Program" which will limit activity to that which is safe & appropriate for all beach users.
Only then will instruction in the area be able to be controlled and appropriate.

From reading your description of the accident it seems the reason the kite dropped in the power zone is that the winds were gusty. Here is what can be found in the IKO manual about on-shore winds and gusty winds:

Gusty Winds
Gusty wind is a key factor in many accidents, especially
in situations with on-shore wind of more than 4
Beaufort (17 knots).
• In gusty winds, the student cannot safely fly the kite
at the top of the wind window as gusts will loft or
drop the kite.
• Extreme caution should be taken when teaching on
land in gusty winds of more than 4 Beaufort.
• The student must never be left alone without
assistance.

Hazards example 1: With on
shore wind, trees are 30 meters
downwind.
Steps taken to minimize the risk:
No independent riders on the spot.
Practice without power on land for
students. Kites rigged with 20 meters
lines.

So in the case of this accident, which one of these actions (or others?) were taken to minimize the risk?

ApatheticEnd said...
What ever happened to "**** happens"? Does everything need to turn into a liability argument? The bloke wasn't taking knitting lessons. Fun stuff has risks.

Agree completely. no risk = no thrills

From reading your description of the accident it seems the reason the kite dropped in the power zone is that the winds were gusty.

So in the case of this accident, which one of these actions (or others?) were taken to minimize the risk?

Not just scripted guesses - now we have a psychic. What a joke. Of all the reasons a kite may end up in the power zone YOU know the exact one - without even being there WOW. If only everyone in the world had your powers of perception.
Or please tell us what there is in the description that brings you to this conclusion. But check the BOM records first - it wasnt significantly gusty and the wind speed at the time of the accident was 21kts. Pretty much ideal for advanced end of board lessons.

Minimising Risk:
On this day - as on every other day - conditions are assessed according to ALL factors before the qualified onsite instructor deems it suitable for lessons. Its an important part of their training and an even more important responsibility to the students & the school.
My team have regularly cancelled lessons this year based on these assessments - even when other schools have opted to teach. Its sometimes difficult to put a student off when they can see others out there being taught BUT instructors here are schooled on the non-negotiable issue of working to rules on this issue.

the walks said...
And people wonder why theres only 1 of the original instructors left teaching in Perth

Original instructors? Is that a secret community?

the walks said...
Guys, your backgrounds my be teaching in other forms but give the playground games a rest......

I think most of the instructors that works in the Perth area have taught kitesurfing in all kind of conditions. Woodies1 is safe and sound compared to many other spots I've seen around the world where kite instructing is performed.

big arrogant mouth...

I was never going to raise this issue publicly but as its been raised I will respond.
As a long serving volunteer with AKSA/WAKSA I can say it is assumed that the teaching side of the sport was well covered by bodies like IKO BKSA etc. In my first year of employing instructors who did everything by the book I was absolutely horrified by the program I saw being delivered.
The widely accepted "lesson content" does cover a lot of the content thats necessary but the delivery is anything but teaching. It's just a program built on the basis of "I know how to do this. I'll tell you then you will know too". Rubbish.
And this is exactly why the whole kite instruction 'industry' is built on a belief that 1-on-1 is the ideal teaching model. Rubbish.
All that 1-on-1 produces are costs that are way over the top for a program which is way too brief and way too rushed.
A legit, educationally valid program could be provided at a lower cost and far more effectively if the course was built on sound learning theory.

@ Tony - I cannot understand what you are getting at by suggesting that those qualified in passing on information effectively don't have a place 'teaching' in a sporting field. The world of PE teaching is a pretty big one! And a pretty professional one.

Steady on ladies!!