That's a pretty good point.
They are gone now.

BTW, someone almost got hurt REAL bad today at EB. It was on a launch. I didn't see it, but heard he was literally inches from a serious head injury. I guess the rider ended up pinned under the front end of my truck (parked at the edge of the road) after being dragged about 75 yards at high speed.
He was hauling ass with his kite looping repeatedly.
I was told his head was one inch from colliding with the underside of my truck.
Several people told me the exact same story and I guess at least ten people saw it, so it's not exaggeration.

I guess another launch went bad and the guy got dragged to the other side across the road, too.

Very glad no one was seriously hurt. I then heard about 5 other stories of recent kitemares over the last month or so.
Every single one was associated with a launch.
Not bringing it up to be negative. Just bringing it up to reinforce that launching (imo) is the most dangerous thing we do and unfortunately, most people are pretty lax during a launch.
Stuff can go wrong, that much is certain.
If it does during a launch, it's usually pretty brutal cuz the kite is somewhat out of control for one reason or another.

Just play it safe on the launches. :)

Use those exit rings. That is what they are there for. Can make a QR situation actually work. Putting your leash on the chicken loop may not always do the trick. Some kites have these rings on the back line, some on the front line. Either way, they can kill the kite if used.

I know some of the closest calls I have had have been on a launch. I definately think most kiteboarders practice their latest trick instead of practicing using their QR.

Glad no one got hurt!!!!!!!!!

They don't call 'em SUICIDE leashes for nothin'
Glad they're both O.K.
Glad that I didn't see it and add to my kitemare nightmare collection.
Take those distances and imagine the kitemare(s) at the Skyway.(Either side):confused:
Later

Tom dug up so old pics for me off of his old forum (the hard drive associated with it, actually).
Thanks Tom.

I went ahead and loaded them up. Some are pretty old, most look to be about 3 years old.

http://web.mac.com/scottfears/Site/S...s/Vintage.html

anyone have more info on the accident at EB yesterday?

new rider? etc??

I know there was a guy on a 11m red 2008 waroo that looked to be having a hard time .. I helped him launch once and he didnt seem to know where to be in relation to the kite.. i had to readjust myself w/ his kite to get it at the edge of the window for a launch. initially he was very upwind of the kite.. could have been bad if I had not known what i was doing.

he was a definite beginner..

saw a few others that looked to be new to the sport..

hope whomever it was is OK and can call it a "lesson learned"..

That was the good old days!!!!!!
Some very CLASSIC shots in there
Thanks for the memories, let's make some new ones!!!!
later

Thanks Steve. That one shot I have of you board dragging is one of my all time favorites. Just good lighting, etc.

I am going to start taking more shots, like Amber and some others.
I just got this iMac giggie and can upload pics easily, so may as well.

Yep, thats the shot that made it into The Kiteboarder mag! Now my body dragging skillz are known worldwide and I get harrassed by the papparazi every time I leave the house...(NOT):(
I really like the one of Zack doing the 1 footer, His tongue is extended almost as much as his leg!
Notice how everyone is much slimmer and trimmer now?
Good stuff!

That shot was in a mag? Funny.
I wouldn't know, I avoid that propaganda like the plague.
I think one of Jay was in the SP Times.
We have a much better selection of shots these days for things like mags and papers, thanks to others taking great shots, but I will post mine anyway since it's easy to do.

I'm famous too. I made it onto a magazine cover once. Beat that! wahaha

http://www.2600.com/covers/sp961.gif