I guess there is a new article in Kiteboarding this month reviewing kite accidents. Here's the summary that Rick Iossi has put together. Some good suggestions and definitely worth checking out.
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/ki ... EFERENCES/
Kiteboarding Safety
Moderator: MK
Kiteboarding Safety
Tighe
In case you aren't a member of Yahoo Groups:
------------------------------------------------------
These ten points appear with other ideas in the "Safe Kiteboarding Guidelines." The Guidelines are located at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kitesurf/ ... EFERENCES/
FKA, Inc. transcribed by: Rick Iossi
--
Kiteboarding is an incredible new extreme sport that is sweeping around the
World. The thrills and shear joy of flashing over the water and flinging
yourself, spinning into the sky at will is addictive! Lot of power in this
sport, it's part of the attraction and sometimes a threat as well. Riders
are slammed and injured sometimes for want of just a bit more care and
knowledge. Consider working the following ten points and other good
practices into your riding habits. They may help to keep both you and
bystanders safer and help to maintain kiteboarding access for us all to
enjoy this great sport. These guidelines have grown out of the analysis of
almost one hundred kiteboarding incidents and accidents. We are always
learning new things about safe kiteboarding in this new sport so be aware of
new techniques and updates to this list. NOTE: Even if these guidelines are
followed serious injury can still occur in kiteboarding, so be careful out
there.
1. NEVER LAUNCH OR RIDE WITHIN 200 FT. OR 60 M UPWIND OF BYSTANDERS OR HARD
OBJECTS ...land, boats, rocks, walls, buildings, powerlines, roads or
prominent vertical surfaces or steep slopes that may cause uplift. Depower
your kite as early as possible if trouble threatens. Waiting may remove the
option to do so safely. Riders have been injured and killed by ignoring
this. In kiteboarding "DISTANCE IS YOUR FRIEND" and may sometimes help to
forgive bad luck & errors in judgment.
2. AVOID STORMS & SQUALLS. CHECK WEATHER RADAR, WIND & FORECASTS & BE AWARE
OF WEATHER CONDITIONS WHILE RIDING. Storms & squalls have injured lots of
kiteboarders & are a serious threat. Actual weather may differ from
predicted conditions so stay alert. If you see squalls or storms, LAND,
remove the lines & SECURE your kite in advance of any change in wind or
temperature. Riders have been injured by reacting too late or not at all.
Avoid offshore & onshore winds.
3. TAKE ADEQUATE PRO KITEBOARDING LESSONS FROM A GOOD SCHOOL carefully build
experience in manageable conditions. Lessons cost but you should be
kiteboarding faster, easier & safer for your investment. Also you could save
your expensive gear & yourself from damage & our access to ride.
4. CAREFULLY PREFLIGHT YOUR GEAR, make sure lines are equal, in good
condition, free of tangles/snags, are properly attached & no leaks are
present. Repair gear before launching.
5. USE SAFETY GEAR ... a suitable helmet, impact vest, tested kite leash,
reliable chicken loop quick releases (QR) & fixed harness line QR, gloves &
hook knife(s). Practice mentally & physically reacting to emergency
situations, e.g. lofting & dragging, to try to reduce critical reaction
time. Test & maintain your quick releases before each use to improve
reliable performance.
6. BE CAREFUL IN & CONSIDER AVOIDING HIGHER WINDS while kiteboarding, that
is potentially winds much greater than 18 kts or 20 mph. Kite forces &
flight speeds can be much greater & conditions far less forgiving of errors
in judgment & simple bad luck & have resulted in serious injuries.
7. CONSIDER LAUNCHING UNHOOKED from your bar for rapid release & kite leash
activation if things go wrong. Consider hooking into your QR fixed harness
line only once you are near the water & your kite is well low over the water
in order to grab your board. Connect to your chicken loop offshore.
8. HAVE AN EXPERIENCED HELPER LAUNCH & LAND YOUR KITE who understands your
instructions without error. If conditions permit, it may be safer to launch
your kite near or from the water.
9. KEEP YOUR KITE LOW & NEVER BRING IT TO THE VERTICAL WHILE NEAR HARD
OBJECTS OR LAND TO TRY TO AVOID LOFTING. GET OFFSHORE WITHOUT DELAY.
10. AVOID COMPLAINTS TO KEEP KITEBOARDING FREE & AT WILL. Jump to help
kiteboarders. If you see someone doing something reckless, grab your friends
& go talk with him. We are all in this sport together so pitch in & be ready
to help to keep riders safe and to work to preserve access.
These ten points appear with other ideas in the "Safe Kiteboarding Guidelines." The Guidelines are located at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kitesurf/ ... EFERENCES/
FKA, Inc. transcribed by: Rick Iossi
.
------------------------------------------------------
These ten points appear with other ideas in the "Safe Kiteboarding Guidelines." The Guidelines are located at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kitesurf/ ... EFERENCES/
FKA, Inc. transcribed by: Rick Iossi
--
Kiteboarding is an incredible new extreme sport that is sweeping around the
World. The thrills and shear joy of flashing over the water and flinging
yourself, spinning into the sky at will is addictive! Lot of power in this
sport, it's part of the attraction and sometimes a threat as well. Riders
are slammed and injured sometimes for want of just a bit more care and
knowledge. Consider working the following ten points and other good
practices into your riding habits. They may help to keep both you and
bystanders safer and help to maintain kiteboarding access for us all to
enjoy this great sport. These guidelines have grown out of the analysis of
almost one hundred kiteboarding incidents and accidents. We are always
learning new things about safe kiteboarding in this new sport so be aware of
new techniques and updates to this list. NOTE: Even if these guidelines are
followed serious injury can still occur in kiteboarding, so be careful out
there.
1. NEVER LAUNCH OR RIDE WITHIN 200 FT. OR 60 M UPWIND OF BYSTANDERS OR HARD
OBJECTS ...land, boats, rocks, walls, buildings, powerlines, roads or
prominent vertical surfaces or steep slopes that may cause uplift. Depower
your kite as early as possible if trouble threatens. Waiting may remove the
option to do so safely. Riders have been injured and killed by ignoring
this. In kiteboarding "DISTANCE IS YOUR FRIEND" and may sometimes help to
forgive bad luck & errors in judgment.
2. AVOID STORMS & SQUALLS. CHECK WEATHER RADAR, WIND & FORECASTS & BE AWARE
OF WEATHER CONDITIONS WHILE RIDING. Storms & squalls have injured lots of
kiteboarders & are a serious threat. Actual weather may differ from
predicted conditions so stay alert. If you see squalls or storms, LAND,
remove the lines & SECURE your kite in advance of any change in wind or
temperature. Riders have been injured by reacting too late or not at all.
Avoid offshore & onshore winds.
3. TAKE ADEQUATE PRO KITEBOARDING LESSONS FROM A GOOD SCHOOL carefully build
experience in manageable conditions. Lessons cost but you should be
kiteboarding faster, easier & safer for your investment. Also you could save
your expensive gear & yourself from damage & our access to ride.
4. CAREFULLY PREFLIGHT YOUR GEAR, make sure lines are equal, in good
condition, free of tangles/snags, are properly attached & no leaks are
present. Repair gear before launching.
5. USE SAFETY GEAR ... a suitable helmet, impact vest, tested kite leash,
reliable chicken loop quick releases (QR) & fixed harness line QR, gloves &
hook knife(s). Practice mentally & physically reacting to emergency
situations, e.g. lofting & dragging, to try to reduce critical reaction
time. Test & maintain your quick releases before each use to improve
reliable performance.
6. BE CAREFUL IN & CONSIDER AVOIDING HIGHER WINDS while kiteboarding, that
is potentially winds much greater than 18 kts or 20 mph. Kite forces &
flight speeds can be much greater & conditions far less forgiving of errors
in judgment & simple bad luck & have resulted in serious injuries.
7. CONSIDER LAUNCHING UNHOOKED from your bar for rapid release & kite leash
activation if things go wrong. Consider hooking into your QR fixed harness
line only once you are near the water & your kite is well low over the water
in order to grab your board. Connect to your chicken loop offshore.
8. HAVE AN EXPERIENCED HELPER LAUNCH & LAND YOUR KITE who understands your
instructions without error. If conditions permit, it may be safer to launch
your kite near or from the water.
9. KEEP YOUR KITE LOW & NEVER BRING IT TO THE VERTICAL WHILE NEAR HARD
OBJECTS OR LAND TO TRY TO AVOID LOFTING. GET OFFSHORE WITHOUT DELAY.
10. AVOID COMPLAINTS TO KEEP KITEBOARDING FREE & AT WILL. Jump to help
kiteboarders. If you see someone doing something reckless, grab your friends
& go talk with him. We are all in this sport together so pitch in & be ready
to help to keep riders safe and to work to preserve access.
These ten points appear with other ideas in the "Safe Kiteboarding Guidelines." The Guidelines are located at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kitesurf/ ... EFERENCES/
FKA, Inc. transcribed by: Rick Iossi
.
WBL
Its starting to get "NUTS" @ the BEAR on sunny days and especially the weekends. Please be extra careful launching near crowded beaches and swim areas. I've already seen several "close calls!" Don't jeopardize our closest riding spot!! On the bright side, I've heard fewer complaints from windsurfers so far. Maybe we're learning to get along. 
JN
JNIn my opinion Ramsey Beach on White Bear is an intermediate/expert kite launch only. That concrete wall is a death trap if you get out of control. Its always onshore winds and there are people everywhere. I understand that the temptation is great when you’re first starting out but please there are other launches around the state that are much safer. Tighe is working on updating the lake maps and will have safety rating on the launches.
Slingshot Kiteboarding/Midwest Mountaineering Regional Team Rider
It doesn't seem too common around here, but I was taught as these guidelines suggest: to always launch unhooked, keep the kite low, and get into the water quickly, at which point you can hook in, slowly raise the kite to neutral and drag yourself out a bit before water starting. A lot can happen in those first moments the kite powers up, and more than once I have been glad to have been unhooked at launch when the kite surged unpredictably in gusty conditions. The only argument I have heard against launching unhooked is that sometimes you have to do a major pull-up (with board on feet) to hook back in as the kite lofts skyward. For me, the safety issue trumps the pull-up, and if I can't control the kite without always being hooked in I probably shouldn't be kiteboarding.
Launching unhooked isn't that great of an option these days. It used to be more important with the early (lack of) safety systems. Personally, I would recommend launching in the chicken loop IF you have a chicken loop release and a leash. Much easier to control the kite AND you can bail out staying connected to the kite without hurting yourself or bystanders.
WBL is definitely an intermediate and above only lake. Most Minnesota lakes are. Somehow, we get by anyway. But, many of you have probably noticed that most of the beginner teaching these days happens at Milly or on the snow.
Somehow, I kited an entire summer (2002) on 12, 16, and 22.5 meter kites using a chicken loop with donkey tail on a wakeboard with bindings and NO safety systems at all. Somehow, that was the summer with basically no scary moments. Total, complete, utter luck.
-Coach
WBL is definitely an intermediate and above only lake. Most Minnesota lakes are. Somehow, we get by anyway. But, many of you have probably noticed that most of the beginner teaching these days happens at Milly or on the snow.
Somehow, I kited an entire summer (2002) on 12, 16, and 22.5 meter kites using a chicken loop with donkey tail on a wakeboard with bindings and NO safety systems at all. Somehow, that was the summer with basically no scary moments. Total, complete, utter luck.
-Coach
I've read some Rick Iossi's work and it sounds like he's doing a great job of documenting accidents and ways to avoid them. KB magazine said there were a record number of deaths in 2005 (16?), but this was due to more people in the sport and more of the accidents were "quirky and strange" or something to that effect.
One thing I found helpful (if sometimes morbid) is Rick's specific descriptions of actual accidents which is also on reachable from the website you posted, but only updated through 2003 I think. It would be interesting to hear more about the 2005 accidents and the causes (lofting, dragging, etc.) and if the types of causes are changing over time.
In some of his work I think he compiles statistics and it seems like onshore winds and gusty or high winds are not surprisingly factors in many deaths, but it would be interesting to see if the latest year's stats are consistent with prior years' or if they are changing.
Anyway, it would be nice to know what Iossi means exactly by quirky and strange... it's still a fatality!
Thanks for posting the info!
One thing I found helpful (if sometimes morbid) is Rick's specific descriptions of actual accidents which is also on reachable from the website you posted, but only updated through 2003 I think. It would be interesting to hear more about the 2005 accidents and the causes (lofting, dragging, etc.) and if the types of causes are changing over time.
In some of his work I think he compiles statistics and it seems like onshore winds and gusty or high winds are not surprisingly factors in many deaths, but it would be interesting to see if the latest year's stats are consistent with prior years' or if they are changing.
Anyway, it would be nice to know what Iossi means exactly by quirky and strange... it's still a fatality!
Thanks for posting the info!
Rick's useful accident info can be found in many places, but his effort to documant all accidents seems to have fallen off since the spring of '05. If you just search the main board at KF for his handle "Ricki". You will probably find his reports on more recent accidents.chanrider wrote: It would be interesting to hear more about the 2005 accidents and the causes (lofting, dragging, etc.) and if the types of causes are changing over time.
This is Ricks Forum:
http://fksa.org/
His older accident reports that are documented are here:
http://fksa.org/viewforum.php?f=85
He also has a column at Kiteforum:
http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=131
There is also a saftey forum at Kiteforum where Rick has many posts:
http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=82
Got it... thanks Tom!
I found detailed descriptions of more recent accidents and even some really gross graphic pictures under the "Lessons From the Hard Side" forum on the fksa.org site.
Wow, the guy who got scalped in shallow water at Cable Beach, Nassau, Bahamas is definitely an inspiration to always wear a helmet (ouch & yuck!). Good to see he's back kiting... with a helmet!
I found detailed descriptions of more recent accidents and even some really gross graphic pictures under the "Lessons From the Hard Side" forum on the fksa.org site.
Wow, the guy who got scalped in shallow water at Cable Beach, Nassau, Bahamas is definitely an inspiration to always wear a helmet (ouch & yuck!). Good to see he's back kiting... with a helmet!
One more safety question... Rick seems like he has been (and I assume still is) very against board leashes... even the reels.
I use a reel leash most of the time and I see them used frequently. Are they really as dangerous in our conditions as Rick makes them out to be?
Rick refers to the nasty things that can happen using a board leash (and I believe him!), but I haven't seen any referred to as an injury cause in the accident descriptions.
Anyway, I guess I just assumed board leashes are ok for "cruising" type riding, but when you start jumping or riding more aggressively the leash becomes a very bad idea.
Also I've heard (maybe here?) it's ok to use a board leash while launching and landing but you should unhook it while riding.
I use a reel leash most of the time and I see them used frequently. Are they really as dangerous in our conditions as Rick makes them out to be?
Rick refers to the nasty things that can happen using a board leash (and I believe him!), but I haven't seen any referred to as an injury cause in the accident descriptions.
Anyway, I guess I just assumed board leashes are ok for "cruising" type riding, but when you start jumping or riding more aggressively the leash becomes a very bad idea.
Also I've heard (maybe here?) it's ok to use a board leash while launching and landing but you should unhook it while riding.
I agree with Coach, I recommend launching hooked in. Especially with the new bows. Without being hooked in you have no way to control the kite's power. And I agree, this assumes you have a QR on your chicken loop.
I also teach never ever hook in or hook your leash on until you have checked your lines. If they are connected wrong you may be in trouble. You don't want to be connected in any way to that kite.
Board leashes are a tough one. When starting off here in the Midwest, if you haven't perfected the upwind body drag, then a board off crash could mean a long float. And board leashes are dangerous. Here's what I recomend. If you use a leash ( I am not recommending one), then definitely wear a helmet. If you are using a leash consider a reel leash. As one of your first milestones take it upon yourself to practice dragging in the water upwind. If you can successfully do it, (it's sorta nice to have a successful move) then ditch the leash.
ride safe.
I also teach never ever hook in or hook your leash on until you have checked your lines. If they are connected wrong you may be in trouble. You don't want to be connected in any way to that kite.
Board leashes are a tough one. When starting off here in the Midwest, if you haven't perfected the upwind body drag, then a board off crash could mean a long float. And board leashes are dangerous. Here's what I recomend. If you use a leash ( I am not recommending one), then definitely wear a helmet. If you are using a leash consider a reel leash. As one of your first milestones take it upon yourself to practice dragging in the water upwind. If you can successfully do it, (it's sorta nice to have a successful move) then ditch the leash.
ride safe.
Tighe
IMHO, don't ever use a board leash. Learn the upwind body-drag asap - even before you can ride upwind. It's easier than riding upwind, actually.
A helmet doesn't stop the board from breaking your jaw or other body parts. You don't have to be jumping or an advanced/aggressive rider to get into a bad spot with a leash.
While having mentioned helmets - being a bald guy I'm gravitating back towards them. I stopped wearing one when I ditched my leash years ago. They keep me from getting fried without putting sun slime on my head (and in my eyes). The newer lids look sweet - especially if you go for one of the baseball cap-style kayaking ones.
-Coach
A helmet doesn't stop the board from breaking your jaw or other body parts. You don't have to be jumping or an advanced/aggressive rider to get into a bad spot with a leash.
While having mentioned helmets - being a bald guy I'm gravitating back towards them. I stopped wearing one when I ditched my leash years ago. They keep me from getting fried without putting sun slime on my head (and in my eyes). The newer lids look sweet - especially if you go for one of the baseball cap-style kayaking ones.
-Coach
-
SCOTT RIDOUT
- Posts: 651
- Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2002 12:45 pm
- Location: CHAMPLIN, MINNESOTA
I agree with both Coach and Tighe ditch the leash if you can and learn the drag, and I think wearing a helmit all the time is a good idea, I was out not last weekend but the weekend before and jumped and ended up butt splashing and somehow still got bumped on my head by the board, so I went back in and put on my helmit. I wear the super scrappy helmit that adjusts to your head, comfortable and O.K. looking if your a style freak which I'm not, who cares what you look like as long as you sre protected and having fun!
I had a kite-mare one of my first times out on the water with a board leash. I crashed hard and the board went flying between the power lines on my bar. I had to fly the kite with one hand and untangle the board. If I would have pulled my safety the bar would not have slide up far enough to de-power the kite I would have been dragged by my board leash.
I only used a board retractable leash for about a week because I was hit by my board to many times. They are a bad idea. Spend the time to learn how to body drag upwind its pretty easy if you just spend a little time practicing.
C-ya at Worthington!!!!!!!!
I only used a board retractable leash for about a week because I was hit by my board to many times. They are a bad idea. Spend the time to learn how to body drag upwind its pretty easy if you just spend a little time practicing.
C-ya at Worthington!!!!!!!!
Slingshot Kiteboarding/Midwest Mountaineering Regional Team Rider
If anybody wants to see what kind of damage a board fin can make I will show you my foot. Two weeks ago I crashed and the board went flying up in the air and the fin managed to come down on my foot. It looks like drop-kicked an axe. Now imagine if it hit your head with no protection. Most of us always have kiteboarding on the brain but I don’t think we want a kiteboard in the brain.
Slingshot Kiteboarding/Midwest Mountaineering Regional Team Rider
Safety for a beginner
I am a beginner.
I bought a nasa wing kite two years ago and the first time I took it out after about 15 minutes of flying the kite caught a gust and draged me about 20ft on the ground before I could even let go. OUCH!!!! I learned the value of kite leashes that day.
I have only flown new my inflatable kite (20m Yarga) twice before today. Once on snow that was a great riding time, I learned to board up wind and even a little jumping! But the kite got to be to powerful and I was starting to get pulled up in the air when the kite was in the above my head in neutral position.
I packed it up and went home. That scared me a little.
I don't have a board leash.
My bar does not have a ckicken loop quick release.
I don't have a helmet.
I do launch unhooked.
I always get as far away from people as possible when lauching.
I just let go of the bar and let the kite depower to land it.
I am going to practice body dragging as long as I need to to beable to body drag upwind, because I live in superior, wi and I go to wisconsin point to board so the wind is 99% of the time onshore.
Any suggestions on ways to increase my safety besides buying a helmet (which I intend to do). Especially when launching?
I'm getting a 13.5m kite and selling the 20m, it's to big for me.
Thanks,
TJ
I bought a nasa wing kite two years ago and the first time I took it out after about 15 minutes of flying the kite caught a gust and draged me about 20ft on the ground before I could even let go. OUCH!!!! I learned the value of kite leashes that day.
I have only flown new my inflatable kite (20m Yarga) twice before today. Once on snow that was a great riding time, I learned to board up wind and even a little jumping! But the kite got to be to powerful and I was starting to get pulled up in the air when the kite was in the above my head in neutral position.
I packed it up and went home. That scared me a little.
I don't have a board leash.
My bar does not have a ckicken loop quick release.
I don't have a helmet.
I do launch unhooked.
I always get as far away from people as possible when lauching.
I just let go of the bar and let the kite depower to land it.
I am going to practice body dragging as long as I need to to beable to body drag upwind, because I live in superior, wi and I go to wisconsin point to board so the wind is 99% of the time onshore.
Any suggestions on ways to increase my safety besides buying a helmet (which I intend to do). Especially when launching?
I'm getting a 13.5m kite and selling the 20m, it's to big for me.
Thanks,
TJ