The dangerous lure of showing off.

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Hi,

I would be interested to hear of your experiences, feelings and remedies on the subject. I am a 47yo kiteboarder, who has been kiteboarding for 10 years and have always prided myself on safety and levelheadedness and on being a pure free rider who rides for the love, passion and self-expression that kitebording gives me and not someone who is affected by onlookers and cameras. However yesterday on a gusty side onshore wind day with a lot water chop, a few of us were out riding for a friend of ours who has not only expressed interest in learning to kiteboard but who is also a professional photographer who had all of his lenses out for us. I did stupid stuff. Stuff I am embarrassed about. Stuff that eventually led to a bad knee injury; my first real injury in 40 years of extreme sports. Simply put, I was showing off for our friend and for the camera, two things that I prided myself on never doing and not ever succumbing to but the drug of the "show" and the "camera" is a strong one that I guess I am not immune from. I kept doing tricks in crappy conditions, on my "weaker riding side" very close to shore. At times I kept getting way to close to shore and to a seawall and kept telling myself to temper it back and reel it in but then I would do it again and again. Finally at one point, I went to do a trick and came in landing hot right onto shore while I was in the middle of a down loop transition. I raced my surfboard right onto the shoreline while amidst a down loop and dragged myself across rocks and a beach upwind of pilings just like the kooks we see in the old two line kite videos. Like a real asshole. Fortunately, I was unhurt but was so embarrassed and besides myself and downright spooked that I had allowed this to happen. Then as if for pure punishment for my stupidity, 5 minutes later when I was out in deeper water, away from the shore doing a move that a have done 100 times, my right foot slipped out of my surfboard strap and my left knee went in a direction that it shouldn't have with a lot of force and I had to body drag to shore and crawl onto the beach. I may have minor MCL and possible PCL damage but won't know more until my MRI on Tuesday. As I sit here alone with my knee on ice and in the air I am more mentally and emotionally wounded than physically. Why was I so stupid? How did I succumb to this type of behavior? How will I keep myself from allowing it to happen again? Any personal stories, empathy or support would be much appreciated.

SR

craz z · Since 01 Dec 2008 130 Posts Montana Stoked

Hey Paul,

Hope you had a good summer. Sorry to hear about your injury. I think any kiter remembers the dumb stuff he/she did. I know I've been there done that especially with camera or competition.

2 really pop into my mind. Both were snowkiting accidents.

first was at black pine. camera's rolling. found a nice beautiful ledge gap to fly over the camera guy. did many many successful gaps with powder puffs waiting on the otherside. well i was getting bigger and bigger, longer and longer. The next jump was go for the big one. Well I threw the kite too far behind me and literally fell 20 feet straight down. The best part was I found the only spot in the area that had NO snow. buckled my knee was done didn't go to the hospital but should have very swollen and trashed myself for 4-6weeks of severe pain.

The next one is why you don't drink the night before competition. I know better and somehow it happened hangover city. not thinking straight at all. My freestyle heat was up and a younger kid was throwing down. I did fairly well up to this point again. All eyes on me to do something stupid. well i'm gonna roll of this lip kite loop and try something never done before, yeah cause it doesn't work that way. came off totally out of control but told myself phuck it loop it anyway. bad idea literally pile drived right on to my elbow on ice. chipped my elbow still feel it to this day and should have gone to the hospital. I still think about going to get it checked out as some times it still hurts like hell.

Next up was paragliding and was heading into a thermal and fell out immediately on a low turn near a mountain. Luckily straightened it out before impact. wind was with me instead of against me making the trim speed faster then I can run. well once again I found the only spot on the mountain that had big rocks. Impacted at 30mph and my foot was going backwards. This time the hospital is the only option. busted fibula and several surgeries later good as new broken bones hurt and take long periods of time to heal it aint as fun as it looks for sure.

By the way. The best thing I've done so far was getting rid of the straps on the surfboard. next up is strapless air. straps are in the way and dangerous on impacts. so don't feel bad its not uncommon what you did.

the only thing I need to do now is slowdown was out last weekend on some flat water near shore going max speed on my new celartis board. was pumping and crouching for more speed when it happened. WHAM. just about knocked me out. what a blast got up for more love it. can't wait for the hydrofoil. hehe I'm not even a speed demon but love it.

get well hopefully you can make it over this way for some snow if we get any supposed to be a super el nino or non snow maker this year up north just like last year.

dwaynej · Since 09 Sep 2013 207 Posts Stoked **CGKA Member**

In the aviation community it is often said you last words will be "Hey - Watch this!". It's a common condition and I think depending on how much damage you have done in the past, you would think twice before getting into this situation again.

I dropped a motorbike on a corner shortly after I said "hey watch this" and messed up my foot.

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 664 Posts Addicted

Paul....

Get over it, you'll heal (pride may take longer than your body)... And you'll be out hitting it again!!!

Hope to see you next year at Roosevelt.

sfbomber · Since 27 Jun 2012 114 Posts Stoked

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 411 Posts Portland Obsessed

Ya, man
Hope you get better

My problem is …..

It's windy, I’ll take a little time off work today. Next day, man its windy again, I can do one more day…..
O hey, just another afternoon, what would it hurt… Work can always wait….
Hey wife, can’t we just wait till its winter for that must do house item.
O shit, that job I just lost was not the best one anyway, unemployment is low and I’ll find something.
Well just F.. it, the wife just left with the UPS driver. I’m going to Brazil for therapy !
Is it windy in Brazil this time of year?

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Word all. Thanks

westportcap · Since 08 Jan 2012 54 Posts Â

How do you add ten feet to your highest jump ever?

A. Lessons from seasoned and certified IKO instructors
B. Videos from Dimitri, the (very) enthusiastic EPIC kites guy
C. Two weeks in La Ventana
D. Indoor trampoline practice

Answer: None of the above. It happens when Bob, the I-was-photographed dude in the Zodiac, swings his long lens in your direction.

Sella · Sat Oct 17, 15 10:26 am

Ahhhh....the dreaded photo op. The only photos I have from Bob @ http://www.iwasphotographed.com is of me eating s%!$ because I'm riding over my skill set. "weee I'm a legend in my own mind......nope......still kooky."

Paul, your free ride attitude will be your best motivator to get it healed up right and tight for 2016. Good luck next Tuesday and see you on the water soon.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

how did the xray go?

I blew an MCL taking a dump once - MCL heals up in few months no-surgery usually, ego takes longer...

airon^ · Since 07 Aug 2013 290 Posts Durango Obsessed

"I blew an MCL taking a dump once"

Damn, even your dumps are epic...

Shocked