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  #11  
Old 08-17-2008, 08:46 AM
jim jim is offline
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I just might go windsurfing instead.
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  #12  
Old 08-17-2008, 08:50 AM
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ricki ricki is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greg meintjes View Post
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

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.
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  #13  
Old 08-17-2008, 09:29 AM
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ricki ricki is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jim View Post
I just might go windsurfing instead.
Excellent idea! Been saying that for years when it comes to squalls sans lightning. As long as you have the skill set, right sized gear, a helmet for sure, have at it. When was the last time a windsurfer was picked up and lofted a 100 ft. into a tree? If you want to mess with storm winds, it can be a more sensible way to do it. There still are risks but the lofting and death spiral hazards go way down.
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  #14  
Old 08-17-2008, 10:15 AM
Skyway Scott
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I am curious if anyone is actually debating going out (windsurfing or not) if it is actually gusting to 70, or if you are talking about riding after it passes. The title of the thread is "Hurricane Riding, the Real Deal".
So, are you guys talking about going out in the peak winds? Get it on video if you do decide to go out in the peak.
Video of people just standing in that usually makes the news.
I would love to see vid of someone kiting or windsurfing in 70 (if we get that).
It's impossible, is the other reason I want to see it.
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  #15  
Old 08-17-2008, 10:46 AM
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That's the point Scott, windsurfing allows a narrow wind range when you're there, that's it. You can't hold the mast and you get catapulted across the water. Of course you might slam and break something against your mast (head, hand, foot) or simply blast through your sail. If you pass out you may well drown. It it is too strong you can't even launch and go very far. If the gust range is too large and you are stuck with one sail up, you go from way underpowered to your arms pulled out of their sockets to being spun at high speed across the water. It is a lot harder to do than kiteboarding. Even putting your gear together in high wind is dangerous, about broke my nose with a sail reversal when I was rigging the sail in 38 mph years back. It is a lot harder to fake it windsurfing, either it will work or it won't.

You can launch a kite into almost anything but if it is too strong immediately or an hour later, if your gear breaks, if you get tangled, if you mis-control things, your lines tangle or any of a few dozen other things you may get burned.

Here's something else to think about, a newer kind of accident with flat and high depower kites. If your kite goes down and you get tangled on your hook, harness, legs, whatever (this is easy in extremely gusty winds) and it relaunches your depowering likely gets disabled as does your primary and secondary quick releases. Essentially you're tied to that high wind wonder machine as it loops with little to no chance of getting free of it as you are dragged and perhaps lofted along at high speed. You might be able to cut your way out but likely you are in for the full ride (usually ends in drowning or heart attack) until your kite rips or enough lines break. So, avoid weather extremes and tangles with a passion.
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  #16  
Old 08-17-2008, 10:55 AM
greg meintjes greg meintjes is offline
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Default hurricane riding, the real deal

I am talking about riding in winds produced by the hurricane, not hurricane force winds,just the water blown droplets at hurricane speed alone would make it almost impossible to ride, never mind trying to use a kite small nough to to handle gust ranges from 75mph to 100 mph. If I remember correctly Flash Austin went out in 60 + mph and did not do to well.

Greg
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  #17  
Old 08-17-2008, 01:42 PM
jim jim is offline
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yeah im talking about tomorrow afternoon or after it passes . Not during the storm!
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  #18  
Old 08-17-2008, 01:57 PM
Skyway Scott
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Good to hear guys. Just making sure.

If someone tries it in 60 plus, video tape it please. :mrgreen:
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  #19  
Old 08-17-2008, 06:54 PM
CrazyJay CrazyJay is offline
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Several years ago I rode a B3 in 35 knots and I've also ridden a 2 meter trainer kite in 45-50. I was just slightly underpowered on the trainer in 45 but in 60 knots it should be perfect.
Dont know if I will try again, but maybe.
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  #20  
Old 08-17-2008, 07:31 PM
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inferno inferno is offline
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its amazing how quickly the kites power increases with the wind speed....

ive been on a 9m in 35 and on a 3.5m foil in 45 fully powered and jumping... scary stuff..... that was the last time i saw that kite, had to cut it lose and watch it fly away....
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handle passes are easy...
at least i think they were.. been so long i cant remember
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