I had to break this down because there are some serious implications here.
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i would be careful not to confuse terms. There is high, sustained wind and then there are squall winds. You know what to rig and to a degree what to expect in high sustained winds. That is frequently not the case in squalls.
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Yes, I said "high wind kiting" not "squall kiting". Big difference. But I did take "the true storm rider" off my original post to avoid confusion.
Yes I sure did, and there was plenty of usable, ridable wind mixed in the middle of the overall storm. Not necessarily at the moment of the radar you posted...
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i hope as a well regarded professional in the industry you are not advocating that guys go out into that stuff? Or, is that what you are saying?
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of course not...not the stuff you speak of below. Promoting squall kiting would be dumb...not worth a human life...
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you realize that as bad as the wind in those plots looks, squalls throw out worse conditions (higher spikes, lower lulls, violent wind reversals) on a regular basis?
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of course...
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brad, guys die in these conditions, recall the doctor who was killed about a week ago or the man that was killed last year in ts ernesto. Many more just get hurt, like some students in the nordic countries one of which will likely be paralyzed below the waist for life. There are so many more cases.
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I know they do. But in case others don't...thanks for mentioning it.
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Skill doesn't count for much in certain weather extremes or if some things go wrong. Add to that we all make mistakes. At the same time, you can't afford to make mistakes in such extreme conditions. Also, gear breaks not uncommonly especially in extreme conditions. Some breaks can cook you but good. No one knows in advance the wind speed and direction changes, lightning a squall will throw out. They can be so extreme as to defy dealing with them. Russian roulette comes to mind as a similar activity. Skill and ability may have little to do with the outcome, just luck. This has been established in my mind for many years but not everyone sees it this way sad to say.
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True. And that whole idea of "let's just throw up the kite and see what happens" is what will kill you. Bad idea.
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I don't view promoting going out in this stuff as responsible. Our sport took a major hit from this last accident. Are you advocating that folks do more of the same or do i have it wrong.
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I WANT TO BE REALLY CLEAR ON THIS -
YOU HAVE IT WRONG, I DO NOT PROMOTE GOING OUT IN UNPREDICTABLE SQUALLY WEATHER WHERE PEOPLE ARE INCLINED TO GET DRUG INTO BUILDINGS AND DIE OR GET INJURED!
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P.s. Regarding divers going deeper. True, but with a very big difference, in record attempts they use their heads, security provisions big time, procedures, etc.. There is no comparison to my 300 ft. Drop on a single 72 cft. Tank into intense narcosis and o2 toxicity over 30 years ago and what they do today. People still die but the controls and awareness are far greater than before. They don't just "do it", if so, they will likely get "done" themselves.
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I don't know anything about your diving past (but dang! that's impressive - and extremely dangerous...especially 30 years ago) other than you like diving and the human nature parallell is the same (risk/reward). Statistically, it's the most dangerous sport in the Keys. Divers always want to go deeper, despite the extreme danger.
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People still die but the controls and awareness are far greater than before. They don't just "do it", if so, they will likely get "done" themselves
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True with kiting too...