Wow that's bad news. I sure hope Chili gets better soon/is not hurt too bad.
He just starting riding again about a week or so ago after a shoulder surgery which kept him out for awhile. That slippery shit at EB is definitely dangerous.

Yeah launch out there was scary. I went way off shore and had someone hold my kite on the beach when I launched. It was even slippery out there. I saw a bunch of people launching near the mud after Jim got canned. Scary place.

The accident definitely makes it difficult to say that today was an epic day.

all kiting brothers and sisters need to able to walk off the beach on their own accord to fall into that category. I didnt see it happen but I talked to Kasper that witnessed it from a distance of 20ft and it sounded too typical .. slip, kite powers up briefly and its over in 3 seconds. I really hope he is OK. most on the beach seemed to think it was def. a broken arm/wrist.. rumors of a head injury (no helmet I believe). anyone with more details, please post.

as per kiting today..
out on the waroo 12m by 11am.. light but kitable.. most on 15+ sized kites. When it started to really kick in (before it got nuts) i got in about 15 minutes on the waroo fully powered.. first time I've got to fly this baby at its top end and HOLY SHEEEIT I have never jumped higher or floated longer. Amazing..

I had a moment of clarity and thought "If it kicks up anymore, I am not going to be having a good time" so I quickly headed in.. moments after landing everyone else was clearing the water and WOOOOSH the wind came in. Of course, Billy took that as his cue and rigged his 9 and hit the water .. it looked hectic .. i got some footage of him .. it was so windy I could barely stand and film. the gusts were knocking the tripod over .. got a few choice shots and will post those ASAP.. (capturing video to my PC right now)...

it lightend up a bit and some others headed out to join Billy in the gusty conditions.. I put up a 9m waroo ... was hesitant to do so.. by far the most wind I have ever kited in.. very very tenative on the first few tacks ..but the waroo really took the gusts in stride and I never once felt over powered or at least to the point where i couldnt sheet out and control the power.

the accident on the beach happened during this time....

the water filled with kiters and i think for about an hour and a half the conditions were gusty but solid and everyone was having a great time. tired does not describe how i feel. ..

Ill get that video up ...hopefully have a little something tonight..

all thoughts out to Chili on a quick recovery.

How many guys/gals are gonna buy helmets now?

Jim is one of the most positive people on the beach. It really sucks that he got hurt. All the best for a quick recovery bud, sorry to hear about your misfortune...

I heard about the accident and just figured that I would rather live to kite another day. Saw the DaVinci Code with Amber and my 'rents. Saw a scene where it was windy and thought about you guys...was kinda wishing I was out with you instead of where I was too but that's just between us... :D

Glad to hear that there were no other injuries, I was sitting on Ikite and when I saw the spike called Steve and Tammy to ask, in my exact words "who got hurt when the giant wind spike hit???" Sounds like the sesh was positive overall besides Jim's incident, glad to hear you all had fun!

Be glad you landed when you did! Another classic example of it going ballistic. Good thing noone was caught at the peak.

http://www.flkitesurf.com/forum/files/newgraph_169.gif

Tom, that peak was right around the time that Jim got hurt, right? I called Steve and Tammy right after I saw it to ask who got hurt and they confirmed the accident then...

There was no ambulance ride, Chili's chiquita drove him to the hospital.
He sustained a fractured humerus and will be undergoing surgery to repair it. Lets keep Chili in our thoughts and prayers and wish him a complete recovery.

Kite safe and keep it real

E

Sounds like a crazy time in tb. Hatteras is getting nuts at times to. Wed is supposed to be 35 knts and 4m swell. its gonna be some sick ocean ridding.

Ahh cool. The sheriff, paramedics, and Jim the ranger were pretty insistant that he take the $150 ride. Thought he went with the paramedics since we didn't get to see his exit.

What's that surgery mean, screws?

Toby: I think it was just after, when it dropped down to 25'ish. As far as I know it was not the 40 knot gust which caused it... just the slippery launch area.