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  #1  
Old 08-20-2007, 10:27 PM
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DanB DanB is offline
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Exclamation Injury at Skyway

Just wanted to report on an injury at skyway tonight-

Friend of mine from work who came down to watch was on the scene and had this to report-please add or clarify if you have more info-

Newer rider (unknown) launched and proceeded to kite north of the beach towards the rocks.

Jumped and/or lost control and landed / dragged into rocks.

The kite went across the road and landed in the median. Kite was recovered -no reports of traffic accidents as a result.

Rider sustained multiple injuries to head, pelvis and shoulder. Ambulance was called and was taken to bayfront.

My friend gave his board to Randy and Randy was going to try to work out getting the riders truck somewhere to store.

Rider did not appear to be from the area. The rider gave us a phone number to call of a friend- we called and left a detailed phone message.

Please add any additional details and/or comments.
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  #2  
Old 08-20-2007, 11:48 PM
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TampaBay Noob TampaBay Noob is offline
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Geez...Good thing that kite didn't cause any accidents. There'd be more than one person heading to bayfront tonight. I heard one of the guys at the skyway saying this "new kiter" asked Randy about taking lessons but Randy was busy and couldn't accomodate him. Sounded as though the kiter went out to teach himself? This is just what I heard, so take it for what it's worth.
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Old 08-21-2007, 04:54 AM
Unimog Bob Unimog Bob is offline
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Dan, was this the grey and red Monkey kitethat we saw by the rocks? That one looked like it only crossed the frontage road before it was brought under control. There were at least four very green riders mixing it up with everyone else, all with larger kites up. I had to leave early, but the situation looked like a ticking time bomb ready to go off when the East wind switched on. I did my riding way out by the tip of the sand bar. I hope who ever it was is OK and makes a full recovery. I also hope a few of the other newcomers got a good look and learn a lesson. I'd hate to lose our access over stupidity

Bob
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Old 08-21-2007, 06:06 AM
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Erick Erick is offline
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I saw the rider (I’d never seen his face before) being dragged out of control towards the rocks near by where trees are. His Monkey kite eventually crashed against the fence and threatened to relaunch several times, the rider seemed to be badly injured at that time because he was not making any efforts to regain control of the situation. I was standing at the beach probably 60 feet away from the incident and the wind was approximately 17 knots. Luckily, the driver of a mini van stopped and grabbed the kite, I belive at that time the kite was already in the middle of the side road. I couldn’t imagine the kite relunching at that moment it would have been catastrophic and most probably would it have end up in the middle of 275. According to Randy the rider inquired about lessons earlier and also after the incident he was shaking and couldn’t move one of his arms also appeared to have a severely lower back wound. Three ambulances and a police car showed up at the scene minutes later. Not a pretty sight at all.
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Old 08-21-2007, 06:39 AM
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Bob. Quicker than I thought.
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Old 08-21-2007, 06:58 AM
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Quote:
newbies riding at the sketchiest launch in town at night?

The sun was definitely still up, lets not spread disinformation if you weren't there
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  #7  
Old 08-21-2007, 07:02 AM
Skyway Scott
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I hope he is not hurt too bad, sounds like otherwise. I too feel bad, but honestly, am somewhat pissed. I was just telling Bob the prior night this was coming real soon.

Listen guys, this is just my opinion, but one that I feel strongly about and hope to convince others to see my way. I know Steve and some others already agree, but I wish more would act out against "cowboys" trying to learn on their own.
If you see a guy who is obviously clueless (I don't know if he was, 'cuz I wasn't there) trying to do stuff on his own, don't hesitate to point him out and tell others and then as a group say "hell no, you ain't riding" or "hey, get the hell off the water" in a firm but informative/caring way.

It's one thing to be nice to new riders who are struggling with the basics yet go out aways from shore, do the right thing, and aren't totally clueless.
It's a whole other ball of wax to tolerate a "time bomb" and allow him to jeopardize his own health and our riding spots.

I wasn't there, so I have no clue what this guy looked like or if it was obvious.
I noticed there were a couple FHP officers just hanging around Sunday night watching.
That spot (SW) is one that could be closed the fastest, imo, because it is property of D.O.T. and we had a kite about 4 years ago go in the road. We were told point blank that the next kite in the road would be the last.

What kind of board was he on? I know a guy that showed up earlier with a particular brand board asking about lessons and had already purchased a board and seemed very gung-ho.

Sad story and hope he is not hurt too bad. I really do believe this is one area (totally clueless guys showing up.. if this was the case) where we need to agree to ban together and say "no ride today, buddy" regardless of the naive guy's "rights".

Does this sound reasonable? I personally have zero problem approaching a clueless guy and politely telling him no way. If he then attempts further kiting, it simply won't happen if I am there because of the obvious and inherent threats.
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  #8  
Old 08-21-2007, 10:05 AM
Optionryder420 Optionryder420 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevil Kenevil View Post
I hope the guy is OK.I am both sad and very angry that this happened, please pardon my tone...
newbies riding at the sketchiest launch in town at night??? WTF?
monkey see, monkey do-This kind of sh@t has to stop RIGHT NOW
there are no less than 10 certified instructors around here now, no reason for this to happen. no more "cowboys" and no more friends teaching friends. If you're not a PASA or IKO certified instructor DO NOT TEACH ON OUR BEACH. BELIEVE ME FOLKS, I WILL CALL YOU OUT WITHOUT HESITATION OR REGRET.
Its about time we address these type of situations to protect our access.
That's funny. You'll call us out for teaching without a certification huh. I was teaching my friend David before he left for vacation, I'm not certified.

I believe IKO and PASA are just some commercial brands that sell certifications, see if I care that some of the instructors have some piece of paper that says they can teach how to kite.

Sounds to me like NOBODY was teaching this guy, so that's his own fault, nobody elses.

Most of us are grown ups and as so we should be able to accept the responsibility of ourselves, not others.

Take the "holier then thou" attitude and get the hell out of here with it.
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Old 08-21-2007, 10:11 AM
Optionryder420 Optionryder420 is offline
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And about the people whom jump too close to shore, there are quite a few that do that. They are usually the riders whom have been riding for a while.

I almost had Danny slam into me and Randy's girlfriend on the beach one time a few months back. Jumping right next to shore, not to mention jumping in others ways consistently. He's not the only one, I know there are a bunch more.

There's no way they're going to ban riding anywhere anyways. They can ban it off a beach, but you can always launch from the water. There's no way the police are going to waste their time trying to ticket you for it, and that's all they could do.

I'd hope they would ban it from a few places, that way I'd have a riding spot all to myself. You think a sign that says "no kitesurfing," would stop all of us? I know it wouldn't stop me, I'll take my chances. I figure if I can get away with it a bunch then get one ticket it'd be worth it.
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  #10  
Old 08-21-2007, 10:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Optionryder420 View Post
Most of us are grown ups and as so we should be able to accept the responsibility of ourselves, not others.

no offense, but those who are actual "grown-ups" will understand that we do have to take responsibility for others not just ourselves if we want to continue to have some of the best riding locations around...
anybody can take responsibility for themselves, thats easy... but more respect to those who are man enough to take responsibility for others...

(my 2 cents)
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