Exactly, looks like he was at the waters edge when he first took off/

The other guy that had his kite low was way more inland.

The beach there in ft laud. is tiki beach with about 100- ft from waters edge to hwy A1A

I was listening to the MJ Morning Show while driving to work and he was talking about the incident. What a scary situation for this guy I just got to see the video.

Very lucky to be alive IMO.

I think that illustrates clearly why you should never leave the water in the first place to land a kite in hairy wind. "Distance is your friend" in my mind has always meant distance from shore. Once you hit land, you are no longer safe, whatsoever.

If anyone ever gets caught in a strong gust while on the water in the future, please let coming ashore be the last thought on your mind.
If you know people are ready to land you, make every effort to have them grab your kite at water's edge, while you remain in the water.

If no one is onshore to grab your kite and you are getting pulled close to land, release the kite to it's safety line (some kites are 5th, some rear, some front) before you hit shore. Then be ready for the kite to light up (spin around, do weird stuff). If it does look like it is going to whack you, release your leash and say "bye bye" to the kite before it gets the chance. Do everything possible to avoid making contact with land with a "live kite" in heavy wind. The video shows clearly that any distance (would 1,000 yards have mattered?) on land with a live kite is not safe in really strong wind.

I really hope this rider survives. It's hard to believe he only had bruises and "maybe some broken bones" as mentioned in the news.

I thought he was listen in critical condition????

If anyone has more info on this guy please post.

This clip give his name: http://www.weather.com/multimedia/vi...rom=hp_video_4

I think he is. I read that on KiteForum. The initial news report I saw says something like - "His friends say he is okay, just some bad bruises" (?)
I was scratching my head on that one.

Sorry, I didn't mean to pass misinformation.

When I first watched the video clip, the one with the newscaster calling the injured kiter a parasailer, he mentioned that the friends had commented that the kiter was conscious and talking. I wonder if they were trying to downplay the severity of the situation, because they too, were in shock. What a shame.
You guys,please be careful down there. We are expecting some decent wind in the panhandle, but are all on edge regarding this incident. I know that some guys have posted that they are hitting the Skyway, I hope that they are safe.

After seeing this guy hit that building and sidewalk I would not want to hit the skyway, I'm pretty sure that would hurt just as bad :)

Lol!!

WOAHHH!!

link is now posted on The Drudge Report..
the most visited site on the internet aside from Google..

welcome to tons of unwanted attention..

so glad the guy is alive.

That's the most unreal footage of a single person getting hurt (on anything) in years. It's gonna get a ton of play and be the talk of just about every coffee break in the U.S. for the next couple days.

Too bad for us. Now reporters will no doubt hunt down other stories, like in Brazil and Tarifa and run with it.
You guys know how news works. If something gets ratings, prepare to see spin offs of it everywhere (for ratings).
The next story more titillating than the prior.
It won't surprise me if in 3 weeks (it takes time to make a show) there is a "news" show on the dangers of kiting to cash in on this internet buzz. :(