Floras Helmet Session

pura vida one · Since 22 May 2007 80 Posts

A friendly reminder that even if you ride in control, others may accidentally lose control and hit you. i'm glad i opted to wear my brainbucket today, and i encourage everyone to do the same. i considered not wearing it, then thought it might be a good idea just in case another kiting lost control and hit me - obviously it's one of the reasons i bought it, but it's tempting to not wear it.
it just so happened that at floras lake today, someone got overpowered and shot into me from upwind when i was on a left hand tack, soon after i'd changed directions. i was heelside, so had my back to him, and as i thought we'd cleared i was slammed w/ 130 pounds. don't underestimate what this can do to your body, people.
i'm a novice and when i go out my goal is to make sure that i don't hurt anyone when i go out on the water. if anyone is on the beach, i give them a heads up that i'm a newbie. i steer as clear as i can, give right of way, etc, but i have a concussion, a bruised thigh, and my lower back is so tight i can barely walk or move w/out pretty serious pain. to take a direct hit to the head would've hospitalized a person for sure. or it would knock you out in the water and potentially lead to aspiration(inhalation of water).
i'd heard from seasoned gorge riders that floras was particularly dangerous b/c "there's always some guy on the lake who's dangerous" ... wow.

diggler · Since 26 Jun 2007 6 Posts New Member

yep, my buddy in cali had a similar thing happen. hopefully everyone is alright in this one besides the bumps and bruises... equipment okay? what happened with the kites? and was the responsible party owning up to it being his fault?
be careful out there: THIS IS A GOOD REMINDER TO US ALL. EDUCATE PEOPLE, BE SAFE, GET KOOKS OFF THE WATER IF NECESSARY. and, yes, i do mean kooks - i was kama aina for a long time on da big island, that not a 'hawaii card' as i've seen people refer to it on here.

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

wow that is bad news. whenever someone asks how to get into kiting i always tell them to head to floras and get lessons (because will is such a nice guy).

perhaps that is not such good advice as floras is a small lake.

wonder what kind of kite the 130lber was flying? i'm guessing a c, not an sle.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

bummer dude, hope you heal up... Floras only needs 3 kiters to feel crowded... and it gets damn windy and gusty too. Still fun as hell though especially if you hit it first thing in the morning before it gets gusty.

pura vida one · Since 22 May 2007 80 Posts

i believe it was an sle, pjc. i think he was borrowing it. it was a decent looking kite, but i really was focussing on maxing out my session and wasn't going for details on his equipment.
thanks, pkh. i'm heading to the chiro tomorrow for an exam and some work. he whacked me so hard it sent my glasses flying from where they were squeezed under my helmet and hood; the front of my neck feels like when i've caught backside edge on a snowboard and whipped to the snow. he and his family/ friends who were there have told his mom a different story than what went down, so they aren't taking responsibility. the sad thing is that if he just stuck w/ what he told me and others about getting overpowered and losing control, we could work things out better. now, i'm out a pair of smith glasses and looking at one or more chiropractic sessions. noone needs to tell me that kiteboarding is dangerous... so is getting in a car, but others just need to be resposible for their driving or we have to hold them responsible. i mountainbike, snowboard, surf, etc, so i'm in good shape and have paid some dues with falls and crashes over time - this one ranks!
i'm hoping everyone gets in and out of the water safely and w/ good vibes wherever they ride; the slightest difference in my kitemare could've had extremely serious consequences

SKB · Since 24 Apr 2007 5 Posts Eugene, OR New Member

Will the responsible party please step forward and tell us what happened ?

I know I've learned a ton hearing about other riders mistakes.....as well as my own....... and I've made some mistakes.

What were the conditions like ? Kite size? Etc.

Mistakes happen Shocked

Accountability is a choice Confused

Sol-flyer · Sun Jul 01, 07 7:02 pm **saw it go down,...**

glad to hear it nothing to serious and that your recovering well.

what i saw from my angle,...it was a sunny day,north winds 15-25mph. you we're coming out of your jib (on ur 12m)and still in the process of sending the kite down to get moving. The other person was on a 9m wingwing rapture, and not able to hold an edge, kite parked at a forty five, and complete loss of control. just moments before impact he kicks off his board and gets in the fetile postion (to embrace for impact). The kites we're completly clear of each other, and with some prior warning (perhaps yelling) i think it could have been avoided entirely.

not a fun lesson to learn (beginer or not)

peace,
sol