Some Lessons Re-learned

[Mike W]

Kurt, Avery, Randy and I had quite an adventure kiting on WBL on Saturday. Kurt must have gotten some bad Karma, because he had a couple of kitemares in one session. I only post this so others might learn something from it.

First, we knew that the wind was gusting up around 40mph, but we were all tempted to rig in the 11m range because the wind did not look that strong when we scoped it out. FIRST LESSON: Always err on the side of the smaller kite size. Kurt was the first on the water with Randy's 11 Rev. I told those guys it looked pretty strong, but we all know how a wind frenzy can affect our thinking. Anyway, as soon as the kite was up, it was clear the it was way too much. Kurt did not have his board and had trouble controlling the power. He was smart to pull the safety, but the kite ripped away from his harness and started tumbling downwind. LESSON 2: Always use a leash and attach it to something very solid.

Kurt took off on Avery's kite to chase down the runaway Rev. He was lucky to grab it and drag it back to the downwind sandbar. Once he gave it to Randy, he was blasted by some of the 40+mph gusts and one of his lines broke. LESSON 3: Make sure your lines are clean and fresh, especially in cold water.

He could not do much but drift with the kite toward the east side of the lake. Fortunately, someone called 911, so a rescue boat showed up and scooped him up. Even though Kurt has one of the best drysuits on the market plus all the accessories, he was still shivering quite a bit upon his return. LESSON 4: Dress for the swim home.

These things could have happened to anyone, so be careful out there. For the record, Avery and I had lots of fun on our 7m kites. Temps in the mid-30's with wind gusting to the mid-40's can be done for sure, but take some extra precautions.

[drknap]

well I guess I'm obligated to respond.

I actually first rigged a 13 as it was not that big but it did indeed ramp up quickly as Mike warned. Randy had his 11 Rev already rigged and I've been impressed with the kite so I was anxious to take it for another spin. But by then it was 30+. I should not have tried but I did. I immediately new it was too much of a kite for the wind. I didn't want to bring it down pointing toward shore so I kept it pointed out to the lake and figured I'd try the much talked about below the bar safty system. The kite flagged fine but the gust were too strong and the force actually ripped the end of my leash out of the plastic housing quick release. So bye bye Rev. Feeling bad, I hopped on Avery's 9m Yarga (flys small like a 7) and did manage to retrieve the kite (for the most part closer too shore) to the point where I was standing. Then a 40mph gust came, caused the 9 Yarga to fall out of the sky for a moment and then suddenly repower snapping one of the lines. I had to let go of the Rev but Randy was near shore to eventually get it. I immediately pulled the OSH on the Yarga. But again the wind was too strong and it kept pulling me out into the bay (from standing in 4 feet of water). I figured I can't loose another kite (that is not mine) so I was determined to stay with the kite and try to grab the pigtails and self rescue/steer it back to shore. I reached the kite but the wind was too strong and I was getting all tangled in lines and couldn't get it to steer me back in. Plus I was still trying not to loose my board. After much effort I finally gave in too the wind and figured that I'm riding this one to Mahtomedi.

I would have been okay floating to Mahtomedi ( I think) as I was in a drysuit-pyro pro, but I was wet inside. I was for sure cold, especially my hands as I had holes in the gloves. I was glad a boat came but I was embarrased that it was the sherrif. I feel particularly bad as the 2 guys in the boat were soaking wet from the spray of the wind and waves and looked colder than me! On a good note, I told them how grateful I was for their help and how the kiting community is policing their own by not kiting Ramsey during the summertime.

[wings]

Holy shit!

I'm glad you guys are safe. And thanks for sharing (not many people are willing to bare all!)

But thats the stuff kitemares are made of...

Be safe out there, the warm weather is on the way.

[Tighe]

wow, I'm so glad you're safe, that sounds pretty extreme.

I looked at the history and it looks like for a time yesterday it was 25 gusting to over 42mph....those are gusts that almost double the wind speed....hard to rig for anytime of the year. I had that 11m REV out in Padre well into the upper 30's but there were minimal gusts in comparison.

What in particular failed on the leash? You mentioned a plastic part?

Again, so glad no one was hurt.

I'm impressed you guys even were out there.

[Dave Z]

Glad no one got hurt. The wind was running between 260-270 degrees. With that direction and the topography of the shoreline was that causing some rotor effect near shore? When those squalls came through at Mahto it was pretty intense.

[seamonkey]

I had a very similar situation happen to me at Belaire 2 summers ago. At the time, I could only ride and get up on my board left foot regular. I made my way out to the end of the bay, then the wind picked up toe 25 or so and I flagged my 11. I decided not to try to wrap my lines in case my kite relaunched on its own so I swam and pulled myself to the kite using the flagline only. By the time I reached the kite, I had lines wrapped around my ankle, my neck, and my kayak-style lifepreserver whick I don't use anymore. I was almost in panic as I preceeded to self rescue towards mahtomedi. A few minutes later this very large sailboat, which had its mainsail completely reefed came up along side me and a man asked if I needed help and I felt genuinely rescued. This was my first kitemare. I'm waiting for 65 degrees or more to get out in these waters!

[face plant]

Really glad you guys are alright! I do think there is another lesson as well. Don't go out in these conditions without others! You guys are all great guys, experienced, very helpful, and supportive of others. I can't imagine that situation without support and the help of others. Can't wait to see you all out on the water soon! rog

[Catzo Ikiro]

I am Catzo. I like windsurf in Japan but now want to learn kitesurf-kitesurf cool. I read story and have few questions. If I break my kite can I always call 911 for rescue? I am scared of police but if this is a good service I happy to call. Is it possible for another kitesurfer to pull me in if I get in trouble? Thank you and enjoy your wind riding.

Sayonara.

Catzo

[Tighe]

I think we should only call 911 in a real emergency, such as was the case here. Frigid waters, exhausted rider, life threatening conditions.

We have to be very concerned about the perception that lake authorities have of kitesurfing. Right now we are a unclassified craft on the water, and as such do not have any regulations which apply directly to us. Not sure we want that to change.

Everyone riding area lakes should know how to do a self rescue. It is also highly recommended that anyone learning take lessons and go to lakes such as Lake Washington or Mille Lacs/Malmo to work on their skills. These lakes offer shallow waters well away from shore to reduce the chance of injury.

ride safe

[drknap]

I don't want to minimize the above event as it could have turned ugly but for the record I was most concerned and upset that I was wasting time in the water and not out there riding (I had to be home at 330). Further, I did take the opportunity to jump on Avery's 7m and take it for a spin after the sheriff dropped me off. Randy's post session dip in the hot tub made it all better!

Kiting in 30+mph winds is more like survival kiting, becomes more dangerous, and less fun. I'm thinking about starting to windsurf again in 30+ mph. Dave Z and Kevin O have the right idea for high winds.

[johnz]

Wow. Those are some good stories.

I don't have any hindsight advice to offer, but wanted to thank you guys for posting these experiences.

You are all fantastic riders- I know you don't take this lightly.

It is a good reminder to all of us that this sport can get a little dangerous at times, and to always try to be anticipating what could go wrong - even though that is impossible.

My experience has told me that after the kite has been safely flagged, step two is to wrap up those lines - it is amazing how quickly they get wrapped around every protrusion of your body .

I'm glad everybody is o.k.

- z

[Stroh]

glad to here your OK Kurt.

maby with our self regulation thing we should require that riders carry a small blowhorn on their harness. that way people on the shore don't have to worry about calling someone untill they hear that horn.

I would hate to have 911 called for me if I was just floating into shore, I dress expecting trouble when it is this cold. I could float arround all day without getting to cold... but what if I have a NASTY yardsale and blow a seal out in my dry then I would be in some trouble and would want a way to alert other people that I need help... maybe a whissle would work...

[RandyL]

I talked with the guy whose wife called the sheriff on Saturday; they are lakeshore owners east of Bellaire beach. I think their original concern was seeing my kite cruising across the lake with no passenger and then seeing Kurt struggling with it was enough to make them call. I new Kurt had dressed for the conditions but I’m sure he didn’t plan on an hour in the water, it definitely was a relief to see the boat pick him up.

[ice_kmauve]

Kurt/Mike, etc. I think you're nuts trying to ride a side shore, gust-prone widow-making beach like Bellaire with 33 degree water. You can't even set your kite up on that beach -- due to the volatile air currents. I said to Mike before the day even started that a float in from Bellaire to Mahto would be life threatening in these conditions. Kurt! Your life is more important than a dang yarga. I mean, if you died trying to stay with a Fuel that would be different. Besides, just drive over to Mahto and pick it up. I can't believe you'd subject yourself to a float-in over a mile long in that temperature of water.

You should have just joined us at Waconia -- safe, on-shore and no worries.

[Death Roll]

What is scarier situation?--Seeing kurt go drifting by in a freezing windy lake all tangled up, or in seeing him the Hot Tub at Randy's house (who knows what goes on in there!)

Randy explained that the situation wasn't really that bad, Kurt was in control heading to shore (eventually)--and he was more concerned about his NEW kite tumbling down the lake ( his wife would kill him if he had to buy another New kite!)...He said Kurt trying saving his kite by borrowing avery's, when that went arry as well....lessn learned....let's all borrow as often as we can Randy's gear and hot tub!

[Geo]

Kurt -
#1 Glad you are OK. Of course, after seeing how you handled the 25-40 the other day on the St. Croix, I would have expected no less.

#2 If you had your 5M, not me, (and it was honkin' steadily maybe), you might have gotten more airtime. (I can bring that sucka to you at the swap if you want.)

#3 I am SO GLAD to hear that you are thinking windsurfing is better at 30+. I do have a beautiful carbon fiber 74L Schroeder that I might be selling....(wuaaa ha ha ha haaaaaaaaa!)

#4 You let your wife read these things?

Geoff

[champlin]

30+ winds you had better be on your game full on, self rescue the works. I've kited numerous times in 30+ winds and gusty, it is fun and can be safe as long as you know that when the nasty happens to just dump the kite wrap the lines and swim in. The problem is that in 30+ winds that are gusty is that when it does happen it happens fast, doesn't matter how good a kiter you are, things just happen, we as a group should have a system worked out, like a hand signal that everything is O.K. or everything is really not O.K. and I need help. It should be a universal sign that should be taught through out the community, to get 911 involved when it's really not a problem will become a problem in the future, so lets all try and get something agreed on that would work, any suggestions? I say both hands over your head crossed means your good, if you can do that while in a survival mode you are O.K. if you wave your right or left hand over your head you need help, how does that sound? Any other idea's?

[JRN]

Clip a whistle to your vest. Morse code for SOS/universal distress code: 3 shorts toots, 3 long, then 3 short. THEN call 911. Let's try it the next "nukin" day to see if the sound will cut through the wind...I've got one already. P.S: I thought Stroh could honk without a horn!

[Tighe]

That's a great idea Scott and unfortunately I'm not sure it will work in all cases. I'm trying to imagine the scenario. When do you do the "I'm ok" genture? After each fall? After being in the water for a period of time? How long do you give the signal? What are the chances that others on shore are watching while we're making the gesture.

On the other side of things if things are going bad, extreme exhaustion, lines tangled around your body, etc etc, it may be very difficult to do a hand signal to indicate you're in trouble. If I'm in trouble my focus is on getting out of trouble. How long do you have to make the signal? If you aren't doing it continuously what are the chances of someone seeing you?

I'm not saying that there situations where these signals will help communicate your situation, it just seems that typical kitemares may not be conducive to using these signals.

It's almost like we need a little flashing light on our helmet that if we get in trouble we could slap it to turn it on and continue to deal with the situation at hand while the light continuously put out the signal for help. But even that assumes we have the where with all to turn it on. Waterproof flares aren't that expensive and might be another option.

It think knowing these signals is one more tool we all need to have in our bag to pull out as needed. It also is the formal marine protocol so if authorities (eg. the sheriff) approach us in the water and we use these signals it shows our awareness of these practices.

Yes we need to know these signals AND we need to know how to do a self rescue and how to deal with the assortment of things that can go wrong. We also need to know our safety systems as well as take precautions as conditions become more extreme (life vest, helmet, knife, flare? )

[champlin]

I guess we just don't do anything then and hope for the best, the idea is to try something even if it does not work at least it's tried, arguments can be made to both sides to try it or not to try it. Or here's a thought, how about just not going out in 30+ gusting winds and actually putting someone else in peril just trying to help. I have a real good one, how about someone, I don't know who or maybe it should be a group of people go to the Police stations and give them free instruction on how to help a downed kiter, be it teh snow or the water, it should be addressed, if we are going to actively kite in the metro area the people who are going to risk themselves trying to help one of us idiots who is out in these conditions should at least have the knowledge on how to do so safely we owe the community that has been putting up with us at least that much don't we think? I'll call around the Waconia area and the WBL area to see who I can get in touch with to talk to them and give them rescue advise or lessons for that matter on how to do it safely next time one of us are out of control.