dont know about the broken back, but i did see the blood next to last concrete fence he had hit. and know that he was airlifted away.

positive vibes for the poor bloke

Where abouts is this place?
Graeme

Quote taken from Herald Sun this morning
'A kitesurfer is fighting for his life in hospital after a gust of wind slammed him into a concrete fence.
Aged in his early 30s the man was kite surfing about 150m off the beach when the wind changed.
He was swepted back in the air for 200 meters towards the shore and into the fence.
He suffered extensive head, chest and leg injuries.
Paramedics treated him at the scene for more than an hour before he was flown to the Alfred hospital unconscious and in a critical condition.'

Keep Lorrie in your thoughts and make an offering to Huey for his safe return to our shores soon.

vide posted this on Kiteforum

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It seems very clear that the squall on the wind graph is responsible. 2.45pm is when it came through. See attached.

If you ktesurf in Melbourne, you really should avoid unstable days when the wind is WNW or W or when a North - SW change is forecast. Spikes like this are very common.

If you are on the water keep distance from the beach and keep and eye on the water, and have a plan if a squall does hit. I see people being tea bagged whenever these changes come through. Days like this are really very dangerous, and happen once a week at certain times of the year.

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quote:

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Originally posted by hookworm

i got there just after it happend and saw him in a pretty bad way. he was lifted off the beach and hit the beach wall first then lifted again and slamed into the front wall of a house from what i could make out he had major head injuries two broken legs and looked like both his ankles where also broken he was air lifted to the alfred in a critical condition. his name is lorrie goffen hopefully he makes a speedy recovery and also a pat on the back goes to the couple that where having a picnic and trav another gnotuc local who where out standingly calm and did there best to help the paramedics.

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Hey Hookworm.

Hope he gets better soon... hope he doesn't have any permanent damage, especially from the head injuries.

Do you know if he was wearing a helmet and what type of kite was he riding?

On a strong day like that a Helmet is an absolute must.
I recommend wearing one all the time.
I always wear one no matter what. I put it on before I get my kite out of it's bag.

Again I hope he gets better soon to kite and spread the word..."WEAR A HELMET..NO MATTER WHAT"

Check out the Vic graph at

Wind jumps from 15 knots to 40 knots ..

BEST WISHES TO LORRIE, WERE ALL PREYIN 4 A SPEEDY RECOVERY

Driving home from work about 3pm, I saw all the divi vans as I looked down Gnotuk Ave. I new it was blowing coz the flags on Ray White in Mordi were dead straight. By the time I got home to Edithvale, 5 mates had rung me to check that it wasnt me who got hurt. It got broadcast on 3AW radio shortly after it happened. Ive probably met the guy. We are all thinking of him. We are all Thrillseekers and nought will stop us!

What happened to Lorrie is an un-lucky and unfortunate accident, which it should not happen!
It should not happen if:
Helmets are worn all the time!
Impact/PFD is worn all the time!
Safety releases (that work) are fitted all the time (and at least once a week checked and maintained).
I am not saying that with al these items in place, we may not be hurt, however there is a difference between few bruises, and multiple severe injuries like Lorrie's.
It is an unfortunate situation, we have to learn from.
Let's not get “others" tell us how and where to kite, but we must take a more "mature" approach and start implementing some safety measures.
I will not kitesurf an any situation without helmet, PFD and regularly checking the fitness of my safety release (I still have fitted leases to my kite and my board - you can name me "old style" I don't care 'cause I am safe).
Regarding the "thrill seeker", there is nothing wrong with this, we think this is the "salt and pepper" of the life, however, thrill seeking CAN BE, ADN MUST BE SAFE!!
For your sake, and for all the other sake.
If we continue like that, do not cry that we are getting banned and more restriction will be imposed!

Good luck to Lorrie in his recovery, I wish him all the best and to see him very soon back on the water.

Good luck Lorrie
Your in the best place possible given your injuries. I know. I spent the first three weeks this year in the alfred after my kitetasthrophy. Broken heel, broken wrist, head injury, skim off all over!!
Hi silviu. I understand what you are saying regarding safety however its too late for me and Lorrie to hear you words. Even with every safety device possible sometimes it is an 'act of god'. and authough i am not a god basher i am luck to be here.
My word of advice. If you are ever coming down hard and fast try not to land on you feet. My kiting is all but over after a fractured heel bone. 16 weeks not walking. 12 months to walk properly.
It wasnt worth the risk

Elliott

Ive seen similar stuff but he stopped b4 the wall, Ive never trusted the wind since, its very much about having a buffer and being mentally prepared for these situations. you can see how well experienced kiters react to dangerous situations yet will always point out that the first time it didn't go as well.
I'm really hopping are fellow kiter recovers 100% from his accident

Steve,

You showed again, Kitepower is the only shop which takes real ownership in this sport!
It should not “stop with just the buck”, but mentoring and educating people in the sport is very important and you are doing it in a public forum.
Well done Steve, keep doing it for the sake of the sport.
And now back to our issue.
Again, it is so sad that an accident like that should happen, to raise the safety issues.
I wish again, a speedy and total recovery to Lorrie and hope this kind of thinks will not happen again.
And now let’s talk about wind:
There are some signs which we have to “read” before hitting the water:
1. Check the BOM forecast. They will say if changes are expected. At least you are aware and look for the change signs.
2. Check, if possible, with other kiters, what’s the situation on the water, and choose your kite accordingly
3. Whilst setting up the kite, check the bar, lines and safety release (even activate, very often sand get stuck in there and jams the sliding parts). It is a good idea once a week to wash the control bar and line with fresh water, disassemble the quick release and wash it thoroughly).
Whilst on the water keep looking for signs of change
1. Fronts of black clouds, and generally any fronts of clouds.
2. If yachts are on the water, keep looking at their behaviour (sales change or reducing).
3. Look at the direction of anchored ships - if they suddenly change position it is a clear sign that a wind change is on the way
And always keep in mind: the wind changes (especially in Port Phillip Bay) are, in most of the cases, sudden and violent (On Middle Brighton Beach I’ve experienced changes from Northerly 15 – 20 knots to Southerly 35 knots with gusts up to 50 Knots!!! In less than 20 seconds). In these cases, if your kite is up… the only thing you can do is to use your safety release and “flag the kite”.
And don’t forget the leash!!! Your kite has to have a leash!

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Originally posted by azza

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Originally posted by Kitepower Australia

Never, ever trust the wind!
When we say there are inherent risks in kiting that cannot be removed, the wind is the main thing we are talking about.
There are a lot of dodgy older (and even some new 04-06) safety systems on the market, the kite companies must begin to co-operate and work towards a universal safety system, or this sport is doomed.
It will not take many unfortunate incidents like Lorrie's and spots around Port Phillip Bay (and everywhere we kite) will be shut down to kiting.
I hope he recovers fully, and I hope it will not take a lot more incidents like this before the industry wakes up and does something about safetys.
If you have an older kite, check out the safety with someone experienced or a good shop asap.
Like Silviu says, always be testing and rehearsing PLAN B, which must include actually testing the safety system.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

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Thank you for telling us this Steve. I hope you are also telling the kite companies and backing your statement with your spending power.

This accident has been in the thoughts of every kiter I know, and not just when our kites are in the air. It is truly tragic. These events should be avoidable through equipment, education, preparation, and community (looking out for each other). If you see someone about to do something that you think is unsafe, let them know. If you foresaw an accident and did nothing, when you reasonably could have, you are now implicated in its' cause! (This is not just a moral judgement it is also a legal one.)

My thoughts to Lorrie, his family, and his friends.

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Unfortunatelly too many people see and don't give a dam.
We have to be more proactive!!

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Originally posted by 4lawn

Hey Silviu any chance of giving us a bit of a description of your three ring safety leash system ?

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Yes, perhaps in the "General" section with some pictures too. I'm sure other people are interested too.