Kitboarding Safety

Garret · Since 07 Sep 2006 254 Posts Portland Obsessed

This weekend alone there were two serious mishaps- one at Lyle where a woman was picked up at launch and thrown into a bunch of bushes and an even more frightening event at the sand spit where a man was dragged across the beach and over the logs. Fortunately neither individual was seriously hurt, but the potential was there. I guess what I am trying to say is if you see someone who is doing something potentially dangerous let them know. I am sure the really experienced kiters can spot these people a mile away. As a new kiter I have been corrected before and I appreciated the input. We need to protect our sport and the people who kite. Also at the CGKA meeting last night we discussed posting safety rules at the spit and event site. I think the events of this weekend demonstrate that we need to fast track those signs out. Other thoughts?

jsj · Since 11 Sep 2006 83 Posts Hood River

This happens every year about this time. Its never good, and as you say, it's important to watch out for the health and well being of noobs.

Do you know if it was misrigging or poor launch technique (or something else)?

jsj

Garret · Since 07 Sep 2006 254 Posts Portland Obsessed

The first one was trying to use to much kite-- and the second was poor launching technique-- a hot launch in the middle of a big gust.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Tough conditions this weekend for the noobs - looked like the sandbar was 10-30+ Garret not sure about your idea of a Sandbar safety ambassador - guess it couldn't hurt - I think most kiters dish advice freely when they see others screwing up.

Like the noobie we saw launching his kite 50 yrds from the water in the middle of the Rufus gravel field in 7m winds.

We could have given him the "yellow card"

"Red Card" we get to keep your gear Twisted Evil

alleycat · Since 29 Jun 2006 176 Posts Portland Stoked

I was thinking the other day we should form a kitepatrol group. I have skipatrolled for about 13 years and can bring some knowledge from that side of things. I feel that we will need to join lifegaurd, skipatrol, outdoor emergency first aid, BLS, EHS and CPR skills into a kiting specific skill set.
For an example, just a few things that should to be focused on are safely disconecting a hurt person from the kite, disabling the kite from doing more damage while helping the injured person at the same time. We would need to practice things like retreaving kites in the river, body dragging an injured person to the shore while performing CPR, splinting legs, holding C-spine and preparing poeple for transport to the hospital and of course advising noobs when nessesary.

This might be a dumb idea but if the Gorge Kite Club thinks this might work then we should have a brainstorm session over a few pints of beer.

Like I said, just a thought.

shredjim · Since 07 Jun 2006 188 Posts Stoked

I saw the near mishap on the sandbar yesterday. It was UGLY - that guy is real lucky he did not get hurt. The kiter didn't want to get in the right position because it would have meant he had to drag his lines over wood debris. So - his launcher let the kite go directly downwind of the rider, HOT launch during a gust and the guy got yarded. Until we get the wood cleaned up on May 19th, PLEASE make sure people get in the correct launch positon and are NOT hot launching each other or someone is going to get hurt.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

This guy at the sand pit - did someone tell him - hey dude, you are hot launching?

Even if we do have some type of safety patrol - there are a lot of people who will think they know better.

I do agree that safety in this sport is important for a number of reasons:

#1. We need to protect everyone. New people can endanger the most experienced kiter with poor technique.

#2. Spectators could get hurt.

#3. launching areas could get shut down with enough bad publicity.