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#1
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Please Do Not Spread A Rumor
Quote:
IT WAS NOT A LESSON ! |
#2
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I agree that we all need to not jump to a conclusion..
Gui.. do you know more of what happened? |
#3
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A witness suggested it looked like a lesson was happening at the same time (among some other riders) ....
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#4
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That would be a false assumption.
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#5
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The accident has affected me greatly. On behalf of the staff at Waterports West we hope Chris a speedy recovery and our prayers are with him and his family in some tough times ahead.
Chris and his mom got some gear from us back in the early summer and headed to Lake Michigan to spend time at their summer home. They had already made plans to enroll Chris in extensive kite camps at Broneah Kiteschool. Late summer Chris called me and said he had a great time and was enjoying the sport to his fullest. He was staying upwind, doing powered transitions, and already perfecting his jumping technique. We all know kids learn quickly. Assessing risk in this sport is the key to kiting safely. With time it becomes easier. Chris was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I have personally been to the north side of the Dunedin causeway and would never consider kiting there. The risks are too high for me personally. If the wind is north I go to IRB. If it is Northeast I head south or out on the boat. It is tough for the north county folks to ride a Northeast as the options are very limited. I educate my students especially North County folks about the Causeway and DO NOT recommend kiting the north side of the causeway due to the proximity of the power lines. If you have never been there, imagine East Beach having power lines just across the street. They are that close. I have already spoken with some kiters in that area about placing a self ban on that side. I don't feel anyone should consider kiting there. I may stand alone with this viewpoint, but so be it. Many of us have warned locals about kiting there, and it sets a bad example for new riders making one feel safe. I know we all feel a bit more comfortable about going out when there are at least a few kiters on the water. You feel like you have some backup just in case or that the spot is an "approved" spot to ride. Correct me if I am wrong, but this has been the worst accident in the bay area to date for kiting. This young man almost lost his life and has a long recovery ahead of him. We can't change the past, but we can change the future. For anyone considering riding this spot, DON'T. Do the right thing and travel somewhere else. It may involve a drive, or not riding at all. Get a kayak and paddle 5 minutes to Caladesi. Just one more thing to think about, a kiter got his lines in the same power lines just months ago. Fortunately, the lines were cut and a bridge was never made. The kiter's only consequence was getting a new set of lines, but it could have been another bad accident if not death. The sport is growing and spots are being explored, but let's do the right thing here and use the causeway safely. It is great place to ride but has about every hazard in the book. Power lines and kites don't mix. It is a recipe for disaster. |
#6
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Quote:
could have just been a couple guys trading off a kite or one talking to the other as he was standing around before riding.. I think we have all done that before. my only point in clarifying this 100% is if it was a lesson, to ID the person giving the lesson and ensuring that they never work in this area again. |
#7
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Steve-O, any info on where we can send cards, well wishes, donations, etc?
-Roadie |
#8
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just a thought ...
this is a great example of why its so important to stress that local riders get lessons from local instructors. yes you can make a fun trip to cabarette or another exotic location and learn to kite.. but by learning from a local you get inside knowlege on riding spots and weather conditions. |
#9
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Steve-O has a great class at Water Sports West; kind of the "before you go out on the water" fundamentals class. In it he packs locations and hazards, all on a CD as well as the basics you need to know before you even get out.
Had me pretty well set by the time I started taking lessons from Randy. Amen on the local instructors, just make sure they are PASA certified. -Roadie Quote:
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#10
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while I am not as harsh with my words, I have to agree with some of what you are saying sandandsurf...problem is that its just so easy to feel like you have control 100% of the time.. and with the newer style kites you can handle extreme gusts with relative ease.
its the subject of most all of our forum threads and the facts are that people are going to do what people want to do in a sport like this. we can, as a community, try our best to enforce rules for safety and whatnot.. but if someone wants to put up their kite near some power lines.. no one can really stop them.. I am glad that every quote I read or saw regarding this accident emphasized the safety and education side instead of people saying "Its EXTREME man!! Its an adrenalin rush!! Lets all have a Mountain Dew and chase it with a red bull and go hit the sliders!! YEEHAW!!"... and I alway get a kick outta someone misspelling genius. |
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