Record High 16 Dead in 2005

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Thats funny Laughing

I'm thinking I should sell my rack before I delude myself and try to lead something again.

Nak · Mon Jun 05, 06 2:36 pm

Kiteboarding is a mix of aviation and watersports. What we call jumping is really a short flight. Most aviation accidents occur in the takeoff and landing phase; likewise, most kiteboarding accidents occur while launching and landing the kite. Certainly some of these accidents are caused by seemingly foolish mistakes. But unfortunately many of these accidents are caused by factors beyond the control of the victims. I feel that too many kiters think that once they have mastered the technical skills of kiteboarding they are somehow immune to the risks inherent in our sport.

Many billions of dollars have been spent by governments and airlines around the world to prevent aviation accidents due to wind shear. As a professional airline pilot I have instantaneous and constant wind readout available. Data provided by sophisticated radar is analyzed by state of the art onboard computers. Those computers project areas of possible wind shear onto a digital display. Years of experience and millions of dollars of training help me analyze and interpret that data. Ground based Doppler radar constantly searches for signs of convective activity. Multiple wind sensors dispersed around the periphery of all large airports provide data that can give early warning. And yet, tragically, airliners are still occasionally lost in accidents caused by windshear.

Kiteboarders have none of these resources available. Too few kiters have an understanding of convective weather and the risks associated with it. I’m not saying don’t kite, far from it. I love kiteboarding, and it’s worth the risk. Life is risky, adrenaline sports are riskier. That’s the way it is. What I’m saying is minimize your risk where you can. The first step in minimizing risk is understanding it. Pick up a book on weather for pilots at your local bookstore. Know your enemy…

The greatest risk to kiteboarders is when they’re on the beach with a kite in the air. Everyone realizes that around here I think. Accidents are fewer here in the gorge possibly because of the great attitude of all the local kiters. Kiters everywhere I’ve been are friendly and helpful, but riders really kick ass around here when somebody needs a hand! Remember though, that things can happen faster than anyone can help, faster than any rider can react to. If you’re going to be hooked in on the beach, whether you’re a beginner or a pro, an automatic release can save your life. I don’t want to hide anything. I am the inventor of the KiteRelease, so my opinion here may be biased. But the reason I invented the thing in the first place was because I love this sport and the people involved in it, and it made me sick to read about those same people being killed and injured.

Good Winds!
Nak

importracer9 99 · Since 27 Oct 2005 296 Posts Obsessed

crazy

Mike Hawk · Mon Jun 05, 06 6:47 pm

16 in a year, i think we (the good ol USA)killed that many inocent women and childern in Iraq, today! you have to admit at least it is not as bad as being a gangmember, most die early. Confused

but the chicks are easy Twisted Evil

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

This is a great thread so far, especially enjoy the parallels with climbing.

One thing I was thinking of in reguards to Gorge fatalities (or lack there of): What the Gorge has going for it safety wise is that generally the strongest wind is in the channel and there is always an upwind current (assuming west wind.)

Because of these two factors you're usually going to be less powered on land than you are on the water.

I have found the opposite to be true at most beaches and especially the Oregon Coast. I always feel super lit on the sand and it feels nukin, then I will get out and find myself moderately powered or even underpowered.

Its also a reason why wind sensor readings don't really mean squat in the Gorge when you are trying to figure kites out using manufacturers ranges. You have to re-guage everything figuring in 3 knots of current and 3-5 knots stronger wind in the channel than on the edges where the sensors are at.

Being able to be slightly underpowered when launching and landing is really perfect for safety reasons, and maybe a good reason why there are so few accidents (especially considering how gusty and strong the wind can be.)

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

I tried to look up the deaths last year from snowboarding and skiing. Think that is going to be a lot higher than the 16(?) from kiting. 16 isnt that bad I think 3 died at Mt Hood Meadows alone this year. Cant imagine the number that might die at the larger more dangerous resorts, not to mention in the back country.

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 475 Posts Obsessed

and how many died while driving to a kite beach? that's the scary stuff.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1313 Posts Possessed

A comparison of the mortality rates associated
with a variety of activities needs to take into account
the number of participants. The mortality rate
needs to be given as a percentage (of participants).

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

I guess what makes the numbers hit home for me is I have met people who knew people that died kiting, or were even there when it happened.

Also I think the kiteboarding industry really has no idea how many active kiteboarders there are. You see numbers like 30,000, or 100,000 or more... but I also know plenty of people out there who go out maybe a dozen times a year. Whereas many of us go out that many times in a month...

Part of me says maybe those of us who go more often are increasing our chances that something might go wrong. But mostly I believe that going more often makes you a safer kiter.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

My dad always taught me to follow the 6 P's-

Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jun 06, 06 8:37 am

I think that one of the big problems that Kite boarding faces is that unlike rock climbing, on the surface it can look inherently safe. How many times have you guys been asked by some tourist 'hey, can I try that". Like you can just grab it and go without a care in the world. You get 3 pitches up on some rock climb for the first time and their is a hardwired biological reaction that says "dude, stay sharp, you were not meant to be doing this".

I agree with PKH in that it is a good thread although one that I have seen before. The bottom line is this.. what are we going to do about it? There are two schools of thought, mandatory "certification" of some kind or the old stand by "self policing" method. Perhaps I'll start my own kitewboarding based pyramid scheme like PADI has for scuba diving.

For what it's worth, I think one of the best methods may be seriously worded warning signs at the popular launches. I.E. "Kite boarding is a serious and potentially fatal activity. For everyone's safety, users of this launch area must be trained in proper kiteboarding safety and self rescue techniques before utilizing this area... etc etc."

Many of us who have been kiteboarding before or are new but have experienced friends wouldn't pay much attention to the sign. But it may prevent some guy or girl from strolling out on the spit with a new kite and instruction manual and hot launching into the rip rap (or parked truck- which, would be quite a feat at the sand bar. LOL)

Kind of reminds me of this Korean team of climbers I ran into at the base of El Cap getting ready to climb the nose. They spent a whole day wrapping all their haul bags in duct tape, I mean they had like 10 rolls of duct tape on these things. Hauling gear is bad enough but hauling bags over granite with but loads of sticky shredding duct tape on them...Ugggh. Then they asked me " what does word pendulum mean?"; "Climbing route not go straight up and guidebook say pendulum" My drug addled, 22yo repply was something akin to "ummmm, you guys need to go back to the campground"

Yardsale · Since 29 Mar 2005 387 Posts Portlanastan Obsessed

Certainly some of these accidents are caused by seemingly foolish mistakes. But unfortunately many of these accidents are caused by factors beyond the control of the victims.

Nak, you make a great point but most of these factors are not out of control of the kiters. Almost all aviation accidents involving small planes are due to pilot error. That means bad judgment, failure to maintain aircraft or inadequate training. If you look at kiting accidents there are very few where you couldn't find a mistep that was the kiters responsibility. I realize this is hindsite and overly critical and I in no way mean to minimize the loss of these unfortunate souls. Lack of local weather knowlege, local conditions and common sense all have alot to do with fatalities as does improper use of or familiarity with equipment. I have done really stupid things kiting and in retrospect was one step away from being a footnote in a local paper. Go sit at the sand spit(when there is one) and watch the parade of knuckleheads. (I used to be one) Let someone know if you think they are being stupid, you don't have to be rude and you may save their life.

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

you make an interesting point pkh about gorge vs. coast wind needs. while it is true that the coast doesn't have any upwind current to help you out, most coast kiters compensate by riding bigger boards (rather then rigging bigger kites). my "little" board i bought second hand from a gorge rider who was selling it because he didn't need something that big.

my guess is the gorgies are more proactive about approaching someone who looks clueless then the coasties (which is a good thing)

also - ditto on the "drive to the coast is the scariest part". the safest guys are the ones with homes near the beach.

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

The key is to have just that kind of watchful self-policing. I won't hesitate to go up to anybody who's about to launch their kite in a crowd of tourists or do anything risky on the beach, whether they're first time beginners or pros. We need to reduce any possibility of accidents by being open and informative to anyone who may be new to the sport or new to a particular kiting spot. And one of the most important things is to not develop "local" attitudes like in surfing, but to be willing to go out of the way to talk to newcomers, teach them the protocol, and make sure they don't f__k it up for the rest of us.

STeve

dcrowe · Tue Jun 06, 06 9:33 am

Good point Steve, better to offend a kiter who looks like they're about to kill themselves than risk injury to them or an innocent bystandard. It can be tricky to do (the not my problem mentality) but it will keep us kiting on the beaches without the state getting involved with regulations.