Yeah i read an article on the age ..
www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/arm-broken-as-wind-dumps-kite-surfer-20110920-1kj4n.html
Hope the dude is ok
That really sucks. I busted my leg kiting right at the start of the season last year, and missed the whole season.
If its just a broken arm, he should be back on the water once the sea breezes start kicking-in later in November.
Also, does anyone know what size kite he was on? I would be really surprised if he was lofted on an 8m (which was what everyone else was riding down the end of Sandown St).
When I went past there were two Ambulances, he must have been in one. From what I was told he was trying to land his kite and got picked up but didnt let go and perhaps couldnt pull the saftey. I think he is a local to that beach. Obviously not 'critical' so hopefully just some broken bones.
Hi folks
The kiter is my boyfriend, Derek. He,s in hospital with a broken arm and had to have an op to have a plate put in it last night. Seems to be doing ok and hopefully will get him home today or tomorrow.
Derek's been kiting for nearly 4 years so he's pretty experienced. He was out on a 9m, saw a squall coming in so came off the water to self land but got picked up by a gust. He pulled his safety when he hit the deck and completely released the kite so ignore the sensationalist reporting! Looking at BOM there were some freak gusts of about 40knts so an unlucky accident.
Massive thanks to the staff at the Alfred, well wishers and especially to those who helped him out on the beach. Please PM me and let me know who you are so we can thank you- we owe you a few beers!
Word is he'll be off the water for about 4-6 months, but the good news is that as he's recently joined the kbv committee he'll have lots of spare time to help out! Am sure he'll be online in the next couple of days.
Kite safe everybody...
Sian
I was out playing golf when the gusts hit and I have to say I wouldn't have wanted to be stuck on a kite at the time. Rain was blowing sideways through the golf cart.
