Almost killed myself last night kiteboarding ...

[ricki]

I received this from a long time local kiterboarder describing what happened on Tuesday and wanted to pass it along ...

"Hi fellow kiters:

I decided to write this in hope that it could save one of us in the future from potential serious injuries. Feel free to forward. Also because I have met so many good kiters who do not really know how to use their emergency system, how to self land or self launch. I have been kiting for 5 years in all types of conditions in Miami, Key West, Bahamas, West Indies, Puerto Rico, Cabarete, etc… so I feel pretty confident, but last night I almost shit in my pants. Here is what happened:

Tuesday May 22 “ Around 630 pm to 645 pm

Conditions: Stormy “ Sprinkle rain – Very Gusty “ Strong on shore winds

E “ ENE (East to East North East) 18-19 MPH gusting to 30-32 MPH (see readings below)

Kite: 10 meter North Rebel “ Rider 182 pounds

Launch area: 34th & Collins Miami Beach - wide beach area - about 220 feet wide - no on lookers around (thank God!)

After a regular setup my kite is ready to be launched by my 14 year old son who helps me launch on a regular basis. My leash is attached to 5th line. I am hooked in. I am 60 feet away from water and 160 feet away from first hard objects. I am checking my lines which are still sagging at this point.

SUDDENLY my son let go of the kite because he believed I gave him the thumb up, but I did not. I was not ready to launch as I did not check yet if my lines could have been crossed.

Because there is still slacks in the line, the kite wend downwind about 20 feet (onshore), then up, then started to kite loop in mid air. The kite looped at least 10 times as it dragged me on my knees on the sand about 65 feet directly straight onshore. My son had launched me 100 of times before so I am so surprised that my brain is not ready for this. I panicked, as I am being dragged on shore wondering what happened, and what should I do next, because I was not expecting this. I let go off the bar but I am being dragged out of control as the kite keep on looping with no sign of stopping to loop or coming down. At this point I am frightened as I see the boardwalk getting closer to me and the kite is just about to start reaching hard objects 90 feet away (wooden poles with rope, right before the dunes/grass area). As I am on my knees being dragged on the sand I am searching for my release. But I am facing down on the sand looking for the damn red release. I am thinking pull or push? At this time, I pulled on wrong area of the bar scratching my hands, but no successful release yet. Milliseconds later I finally reached my red iron heart quick release which finally de-powered the kite which fell right behind the wooden poles on the grass without damage. My heart is pumping at 150 miles and hour. I recovered my kite which is hooked to my leash attached to 5th line. It happened so fast, that if I had waited another 3-5 seconds to release I would have gone head first into the boardwalk/parking lot or Collins Avenue..........

Lessons to learn from this: Distance is your only friend, so this wide beach area saved me. Make sure your communication with your launcher is correct. Do not kite in extreme conditions (on shore, gusty, high winds) unless you are mentally prepared for the worst to happen. This is about split second decisions. Always rehearse in you mind: what do I do next? (especially at take off and landings). Know your quick release like you know how to use your car breaks. Practice how to use your emergency release before you are forced to try it out in a real emergency. Once again, I have met so many good kiters who do not really know how to self launch , self land or use their emergency system. I am glad I had practiced mine many times because this time, I struggled....... but it saved me!

Be careful out there, safety first, Happy kiting!"