Lesson Learned the Hard Way

[Debbie]

It was a beautiful day here in Cabarete so we decided to do a downwinder. I was unprepared for this because it was spur of the moment. I did not have a knife, lifejacket or helmet.

We took off and were merrily on our way when one of my lines broke. This caused my kite to crash right when a big wave was behind me. Since I couldn't control anything, the wave grabbed my kite and the force cause 2 other of my lines to snap. When the wave receded, the lines were slack and started to wrap around me. I knew another wave was behind me so released everything. Since the lines were snapped, they pulled away from me along with the kite. My friend saw the kite and went to grab it. The lines wrapped around his neck, he lost his board and had to self rescue back in (we were about 2 miles from shore). He is okay by the way. I was stuck in the middle of the ocean with sharks swimming around me - that part I made up. Anyway, I only had my board for flotation and was getting tired after 45 minutes of fighting the waves. Thanks to an amazing kiter here, he saw me and came to rescue me. I grabbed on to his harness and he pulled me back in.

My kite was not so lucky - it is now in two pieces.

Debbie

[Tighe]

OMG Debbie, that must have been pretty scary. so glad you're ok.

As we get better we get more an more confident and forget the important preparations/ precautions.

I hope you're planning to get back out there and find the zone in the waves. This time maybe with better preparations.

[tom_latcham]

I am so glad you and your friends are OK. That must have been very scary. Sorry about your kite. Must be a good repair shop on the island. But most of all. Thank you for sharing your story. It might save some one else from harm if they can learn from your experiance. Knives, helmet, life vest. These are things I added after learning from other kiters. You hope you never need them. But if you do. It could be life or death. I think we all look forward to seeing you on the water this summer, so we can hear more about your trip and see your improvement.
TL

[cautionkid]

Thanks for the sharing your story. Just wondering why you guys were two miles out. I never understood why people need to go out so far, there aint no pot of gold out there, Good rule to follow never go out farther than you want or can swim. and the waves usually dont break out that far unless there is some shallow water out which you could usually stand in anyway.

[steveb]

Way to deal with a nasty situation Deb. You're still kicking which means you did every thing right.
Sorry the kite was trashed but cheap at the price. Be safe.

[JRN]

HOLY CUPCAKES GIRL! U are re-defining the "School of Hard Knocks." Lost boards, kites torn in two, wrapped lines, &...
Did I miss anything? Most important of all, that you are safe. I've had my hat handed to me several times on Superior, but I guess that is part of the fun & the challenge of riding waves. Thank you for sharing your adventures on....
"SURVIVOR, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC."

[torisspacedog]

Well I'm glad everything worked out. Kites can be fixed or replaced. You had me going with the Shark thing glad that wasn't real. That wouldn't have ended well. Thanks for sharing that experience. Mark L.

[johnz]

WOW, Debbie! That was a scary story!

I'm glad you are o.k. and have people down there who have your back.

Wow. I'm selling my knife and am going to bring a little chainsaw or something out there next time

- John