Lessons from the Hardside - NEW KITERS

[ricki]

We all were new to this sport at one time and most made our share of errors. Some mistakes were more significant and painful than others. The goal of this thread is highlight some of the more critical errors to hopefully aid other new riders in avoiding the same course. This thread will eventually be put into the section it was named for.

So for starters ...

Macca posted this on the UK forum. I thought it would be good to repost this here. I really hope this guy heals fully. Trying to learn how to kiteboard by flying a 12 m in those wind conditions onshore (or anywhere else for that matter), is akin to trying to knock cars off the freeway by running into them, on foot.

Originally Posted by macca

Just a wearning to all those learner kiters reading the forums.

A very nasty accident happened at Redcar this afternoon.

A guy, just learning but up a 12m kite, wind was 25-40 mph, off shore.
He was flying it on the beach only.
Tide was high forcing him to just in front of dunes about 5m high.

There was about 6-8 windsurferes out, i was getting hammered on a 5.2, wind was very strong and gusty, not kite weather.

The guy got lofted about 40' up and 50' down wind to waters edge.
He landed extreamly hard, sustaining possible back/pelvic injurys.
Dont know what happened to safety
, to release kite. I came off water to see kite flapping on reride and a few guys round him.

I dont know why he rigged up, but have seen him around a few times, he has been learning for a good few months.

Lesson to be learned, allways use kite in the stated ranges, other wise you could kill your self.

I hope he will make a full recovery, and injurys are not to bad.

Be very carefull if you do not know what you are doing, get lessons!!!!!

From: http://www.kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesur...pic.php?t=9595


From: http://www.stopharlownorth.com