kite-surfing accident off of the Dunedin Causeway

I just found the article by back tracking the reporters name on google.
The article had several misquotes from me, and imo, distorts statistics to make kiting look dangerous.
I wouldn't care so much if I didn't think it could sway public perception, but obviously it can.

One : I said most riders average age is between 25 and 35, not all riders. Heck, I am 40! Howard is 65.
Not a biggie to most, but I am a stickler for getting people's words correct and made an effort to break down the population by age, sex, etc. To me, this just shows lack of attention to detail and not caring about accurate reporting.

Two: I said Chris would have lessened his odds of injury by not being near the powerlines. The size of the kite (which I don't even know) is irrelevant and I didn't mention it. I focussed most of my discussion on location.
I also stressed that as a new rider, knowing about local weather would be very difficult and that only made matters worse and that the gust event caught him off guard. I went on to say (not related to this event) that in most situations, riding a distance offshore gives any rider more time to respond to a non-anticipated event.
I didn't say Chris in particular. It might sound like I am splitting hairs, but it's a misquote.

Third: I pointed out I didn't want to point the finger, especially to a new rider that was injured, but that I felt the accident could be avoided. Again, I focussed on the object and powerline, and made it clear new riders have little experience with weather.
The quote sounds much more harsh than I remember.

The video was edited to the best of light in my opinion (if focussing on the accident). Julie obviously wanted to focus on Chris's accident and that it was indeed an accident, not a common occurence.
We spent much more time demonstrating the safety gear (don't know why now) than talking about Chris.
I guess they have to focus on something. The accident has been in the spotlight, it was still the focal point.
I expected a little different, still naive at 40, I guess.
Anyway, just want people to know the scoop on what was said and then what was represented in the article.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/oct...?news-breaking

I am intersted, btw, accidents are on the rise?
One is one. I guess one is larger than zero?

My conclusion, these guys are in it (writing articles) for the headlines and not in it for providing accurate information. Misquoting or distorting quotes for a "better" story is wrong. I am frustrated that my effort to provide accurate information was distorted.
I was concerned about this when Rick contacted me about giving the interview (why I CMA'd on prior post).
But, I did it anyway. I won't make that mistake again.

"I don't want that QR rigged like Tom Stock's".

LOL. Thanks Al.

I burst out laughing when I heard that. too funny.

[bigairal]

I am sorry, Tom I forgot Scott was miked at the time. Honestly, i burst out laughing too. I was just being funny.

[bigairal]

I just read the article quoting scott fears. I was present when scott was being interviewed by Julie Busch. Anyway scott represented our group very well and stressed saftey by all. He stressed it was an accident that happend to chris, and that our sport is safe with good instruction and common sense. They filmed scott for 10 minutes going over all the safety features of the kite bar. but of course the news shows none of it. They stick to their agenda of sensationalizing the accident with chris. I know scott is upset that his words got twisted around. Notice the quote in the article that if chris had a smaller kite up the accident would not have happened. thats obviously a misquote of scott we all know even with a smaller kite, the accident would have still happened due to the close proximity of the power lines. It makes me wonder when i watch the news about Iraq about what is really going on over there. the news just print and say whatever the agenda is that they try to push. very sad. hang in there scott you did a good job. they just twisted the words.

[ricki]

Hey Scott,

Sorry for the poor accuracy and apparent bias in the reporting. There is a tendency in the media for that however the severity will vary among publications. Overall though I though your comments reflected fairly well on the sport.

I never spoke to Keith Morelli, had messages to contact him nor had I heard of him before seeing this article tonight. I am mystified as to what all his gross misquotes are based upon. The statistics included are incorrect to my recollection, some amazingly so. For instance there were NO FATALITIES in the USA in kiteboarding in 2003 or in 2000 that I know of. As to total accidents in the USA in ANY year, I have no idea. Wonder if he attempted to read the KSI with one eye closed, gathering grossly incorrect totals and publishing them in possible violation of the Copyright and terms of use. That wouldn't be very professional and as to fact checking?. I just left a voice mail for Mr. Morelli seeking a better understanding of what he printed and the basis for it. Scott, at least he spelled your name correctly. Although, all things considered I don't really mind his screwing that up in my case.

Anyway, the media at work. It does make you wonder about news from Iraq.

Here is my email to him.

Keith,

This is Scott Fears.
I read the article about kiting "Accidents on the Rise" and it has a few misquotes. I mainly care about one and it actually has me very upset.

I never said that if a smaller kite was up Chris wouldn't be in the hospital. I don't even know what size kite he had up when the accident occurred, so it is literally impossible for me to make that determination.
Did you take notes, or just guess about what I said?

Please remove that quote. I focussed solely on the proximity to power lines in our discussion toward Chris and his accident.
I would appreciate it if the proximity to powerlines (something that can be controlled by decision processes) is focussed on more than the gust coming (the whole reason we control our distance from objects). There is no way Chris would have known on that day that a gust line was coming, especially with his experience level. Again, it is for this reason (mother nature is sometimes unpredictable) that safe kiters live by the saying "distance is your friend." I am hoping this article will reflect on this reality and that most of the time kiters are safe because we follow these safety guidelines.

In addition, kiting is more safe than SCUBA diving and many other recreational hobbies.
It seems the article mainly wishes to show kiting as dangerous. I find this odd, since this is literally the first injury in the news in this town, ever.

I am hoping at bare minimum my quote can be changed to reflect what I actually said.
Thank you,

Scott Fears

[ricki]

Anyway, the truly important thing is that Christopher will recover. After such a harsh accident, it is marvelous news. Best wishes for his rapid and complete healing.

Oh, the safety stats. Yeah. I am curious how it feels Rick, putting countless time and God only knows how much effort into tracking kiting statistics, to have them abused and grossly misrepresented in attempts to make the sport look less safe now than before SLEs.

Remember "the summer of the shark"? Look up the actual stats. The media is clueless even when given the proper information. It's beyond disappointing.

Originally Posted by bigairal

I am sorry, Tom I forgot Scott was miked at the time. Honestly, i burst out laughing too. I was just being funny.

I know Al, I laughed... no big deal. I can learn from my mistakes

[bigairal]

hopefully i can learn from my mistakes too.