Quote:
Originally Posted by greg meintjes
You got to be real careful, even a 5 mph gust can can cause problems if you have no buffer zone, my biggest worry tomorrow is if we get some newbies on the water and and we also get some strong onshore gusts,Ijust read a kiter got killed in Brasil while riding when a squall came through , I will not be taking any chances if the weather is squally, and hope some of the other riders will help set an example for the benefit of some of the newbies.
Greg
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From:
http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.p...t&sd=a&start=0
The kiter was lofted or dragged into this building by squall gusts. I wish what comfort can be found to his family and friends. Brazil is not known for having a lot of violent squalls from what people have told me. Our area on the other hand Florida has very powerful squalls on a regular basis particularly in tropical systems.
I agree new kiters should sit this one out. Here's a harsh fact though, it is the experienced guys who are getting taken out more often in these tragic events. I'm updating this information but up to around 2006;
65% had three or more years of experience with 42% with four or more years kiteboarding
The average age among the lost kiters was 39
From:
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=412...ight=100%2C000
When it comes to squalls everyone should sit it out and well before the wind or temperature changes too. If it is roaring in at a mile a minute and the gust front kicks out five or more miles in front you don't have much time to react. Sometimes with impediments to sight, you may have no time at all. The main thing that claimed these kiters were the choices they made. It all starts with us and what we choose to do, when, where and how.