Dunneworthy, VIC, 3377
She Oaks, VIC, 3331
Jesmond, NSW, 2299
  Search for a Location
  Clear Recents
Metro
South West
Central West
North West
  Surf Cameras
  Safety Bay Camera
Metro
North
Mid North
Illawarra
South Coast
Metro
West Coast
East Coast
Brisbane
Far North
Central Coast
Sunshine Coast
Gold Coast
Hobart
West Coast
North Coast
East Coast
Recent
Western Australia
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Queensland
Northern Territory
Tasmania
  My Favourites
  Reverse Arrows
General
Gps & Speed Sailing
Wave Sailing
Foiling
Gear Reviews
Lost & Found
Windsurfing WA
Windsurfing NSW
Windsurfing QLD
Windsurfing Victoria
Windsurfing SA
Windsurfing Tasmania
General
Gear Reviews
Foiling
Newbies / Tips & Tricks
Lost & Found
Western Australia
New South Wales
Queensland
Victoria
South Australia
Tasmania
General
Foiling
Board Talk & Reviews
Wing Foiling
All
Windsurfing
Kitesurfing
Surfing
Longboarding
Stand Up Paddle
Wing Foiling
Sailing
  Active Topics
  Subscribed Topics
  Rules & Guidelines
Login
Lost My Details!
Join! (Its Free)
Dunneworthy, VIC, 3377
She Oaks, VIC, 3331
Jesmond, NSW, 2299
  Search for a Location
  Clear Recents
Metro
South West
Central West
North West
Surf Cameras
Safety Bay Camera
Metro
North
Mid North
Illawarra
South Coast
Metro
West Coast
East Coast
Brisbane
Far North
Central Coast
Sunshine Coast
Gold Coast
Hobart
West Coast
North Coast
East Coast
Recent
Western Australia
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Queensland
Northern Territory
Tasmania
  My Favourites
  Reverse Arrows
All
Windsurfing
Kitesurfing
Surfing
Longboarding
Stand Up Paddle
Wing Foiling
Sailing
Active Topics
Subscribed Topics
Forum Rules
Login
Lost My Details!
Join! (Its Free)

Forums > Kitesurfing Tasmania

Bets wishes to "whomever that was at schoolies"

Reply
Created by Smeghead > 9 months ago, 4 Jan 2013
Smeghead
TAS, 85 posts
4 Jan 2013 5:30PM
Thumbs Up

real bad to see such a shocking accident, really sorry we couldn't get there in time to help you, seen you in trouble but just can't run fast enough.

Hope you aren't busted up too bad and get well soonest.

funkyllama
TAS, 308 posts
4 Jan 2013 6:52PM
Thumbs Up

what went wrong? It was pretty gusty today

Smeghead
TAS, 85 posts
4 Jan 2013 9:00PM
Thumbs Up

wind was ok, was pretty steady but strong. Someone got launched into the middle of the road and kite over th power lines, looked pretty bad, lucky they were wearing a helmet.

KiteDevil
TAS, 778 posts
4 Jan 2013 10:23PM
Thumbs Up

Whaaaaa???

Sh1t the bed!!

ando313
TAS, 156 posts
4 Jan 2013 10:57PM
Thumbs Up

Man, he must had ate the same bloody muscles as me at the taste of Tasmania.... spewing, ****ting and to scared to fart today...

Voitek
QLD, 197 posts
4 Jan 2013 10:22PM
Thumbs Up

I'm pretty sure everyone was pretty shook up by the accident at schoolies and truly hope the guy is going to be ok and back out on the water.

For the rest of the summer... Could everyone please be safe.... The following are basic rules of the road for new kiters. This is not being posted in relation to today, just a general reminder for all the new kiters joining the sport.

Kiting is mostly a safe sport BUT it is still an extreme sport so:

Always get lessons, the first few days are all about safety. Cannot emphasise this enough.

If its too windy, or you don't have a small enough kite, give it a miss.

If the conditions are bigger than your ability, just watch the others and learn.

If you are not sure what kite size is appropriate, check the web site of the manufacturer for safe wind ranges and if you are not sure how windy it is get a wind meter, also available for most smart phones. P.s. cool Tassie air is very dense so you generally use smaller kites down here.

Practice your safety release and use it if you're in trouble. Especially if getting overpowered or pulled up.

Don't kite in onshore winds if you can avoid it, cross shore away from trees and people.

Always kite with a friend. That's what this forum is for!

Always double check your lines before launch.

Tassie winds can be unpredictable. Kite with a local if you can.

Otherwise, the weekend looks good for some sea breezes so let's get ou there... Radically but safely.

elhucko
TAS, 253 posts
4 Jan 2013 11:48PM
Thumbs Up

U are right voitek.
I've been to schoolies today and met some lovely kiters, local and melbourne.
It was actually alright today, went out with a 6m.
That other guy was a beginner. and he went out in a 12m, and changed it to a 10m. I felt that even 6m was sometimes too big.
The thing I didn't get was why he didn't pull his safety.
Anyway, hope he will get better soon.

icftoo
TAS, 5 posts
5 Jan 2013 1:20AM
Thumbs Up

Hi All

The guy who had the accident is in hospital with a broken collar bone, broken ribs and a punctured lung. I spoke to his wife tonite and she said he is ok. His name is Alan and is on holidays with his family.

On behalf of Alan and family, i would like to thank everyone who helped today with recovering his gear and helping Alan.

Cheers
George

Smeghead
TAS, 85 posts
5 Jan 2013 8:52AM
Thumbs Up

thanks George for the update on his condition, was dreading to hear that it could have been much worse.
Pitty he's not a local as I think somebody has finally outdone me for kiting accidents, can't have these drop ins taking the crown.


One thing anyone pretty new to the sport can learn from this:

when you're in the **** pull your safety, and then if you have to, dump the kite completely, the price of a kite is not worth your neck.

Hope this doesn't put you off the sport Alan, as someone who's had a few kiting injuries, including a broken neck, I understand how it could shake you up a bit.

Hope to see you about again, get well soon

leighkite
TAS, 44 posts
5 Jan 2013 10:06PM
Thumbs Up

Totally agree Ando! Time And Place!

I hope this does not put the rider off kitesurfing and wish him the best for his recovery...

I have been exploring around the south Arm and peninsular area during the SW or WSW winds and found the wind at Carlton Beach to be much more consistent and you can see any major change in the wind coming on the water a long way off.. being a little further from hills and mountains . For beginners worried about the waves and room to launch as the tide goes out there is enough room to launch safely especially if the wind is a little side shore... Just walk out into the water:-) and as the tide drops and rises there is a 20-30m gutter causing flatter water with small whitewash rolling through:-) My Wife is a novice (just riding upwind) and feels very safe there. However I have spent a lot of time with her teaching her to...

1... Know how to release both emergency release systems as a reflex.. rather than fumbling around trying to release...

2... understand the size of her kite and it limitations

3... If over powered sit the kite at the edge of the wind window until another kiter comes to catch it, if still being pulled release the chicken loop safety causing the kite to invert and wait for help if the kite is not dragging her around.

4... if all else fails release the kite.

5... observe the spot for 20 or 30 mins see if the wind is coming through in gusts if its a new spot or she has experienced gusty conditions there in the past:-)

6... always launch as close to the edge of the wind window as will allow your kite to fly....

Hope it helps a few beginners out in making some decisions... as a kite instructor I teach these guide lines to all my students along with teaching them to read storm clouds and the water on the horizon that can indicate strong or gusty winds...

Ride within your limitations just because someone else is out with the same size kite does not mean you can... we had a few serious injuries on our side of the pond from people getting smashed into building or blowing their knee out trying to learn to jump in shallow water... It takes years to be confident or skilled enough to do a lot of even the simple tricks anywhere but open water:-)

Safe riding all see you on the water!

A pic or two from Carlton Beach Great to be riding back home here in Tassie:-)







leighkite
TAS, 44 posts
5 Jan 2013 10:25PM
Thumbs Up

Oh also my wife just pointed out... Make sure whoever is launching your kite knows what they are doing... We were both caught out by this one scarring my GF and when it happened to me my ankle got twisted... missed out on two weeks riding:-(

tweeker333
TAS, 5 posts
6 Jan 2013 10:04AM
Thumbs Up

Good info Leigh. I saw it all first hand and it could have been avoided with a bit more basic safety knowledge...

On another note, good to see that some people actually use this forum for what it is intended (not just s#!t stirring).

leighkite
TAS, 44 posts
6 Jan 2013 9:48PM
Thumbs Up

Nice one.. I am heeding back overseas in a few weeks but maybe its a good idea to keep re-posting the 'guide lines for beginners´ once in a while to keep everyone safe:-)

Alan111S
VIC, 19 posts
6 Jan 2013 11:09PM
Thumbs Up

Hi all

Thanks for all your best wishes.

I'll try and explain what happened although I'm doing this on my phone in hospital.

Basically, I'd come back in on my 12m as it was way too strong. I have a 9m, but was unsure whether to pump it up. My friend Georges kite 10m Ozone Catalyst had tangled lines, which we sorted out so I went for a quick run.

At that point the wind picked up. I could hardly keep it at 9 o'clock. I shouted over to people on the beach. One guy started running over. At that point, there was a gust and I tried pulling the safety but nothing happened. The kite crossed the wind window, and lifted me 3 m and I landed in ankle deep water. Next thing it lifted me again and I landed on the road.
Don't remember much else...

tunsis
VIC, 30 posts
7 Jan 2013 1:04AM
Thumbs Up

sounds absolutely nasty Alan, but thankfully you are still here and able to speak about it!

get well and kiting soon.

KiteDevil
TAS, 778 posts
7 Jan 2013 6:02PM
Thumbs Up

Alan111S said...
Hi all

Thanks for all your best wishes.

I'll try and explain what happened although I'm doing this on my phone in hospital.

Basically, I'd come back in on my 12m as it was way too strong. I have a 9m, but was unsure whether to pump it up. My friend Georges kite 10m Ozone Catalyst had tangled lines, which we sorted out so I went for a quick run.

At that point the wind picked up. I could hardly keep it at 9 o'clock. I shouted over to people on the beach. One guy started running over. At that point, there was a gust and I tried pulling the safety but nothing happened. The kite crossed the wind window, and lifted me 3 m and I landed in ankle deep water. Next thing it lifted me again and I landed on the road.
Don't remember much else...


Sounds you got flogged old mate, no good.
A kite would never jump across the window in a gust. It has to be sent.
Get someone to check the lines you were using as it sounds like a line might've broken?
If it has it explains everything. I've been spanked by that old chestnut myself.
If it hasn't then you've been owned by strong winds and a massive mind fart.
Some say sh1t just happens. Glad your ok.
Cheers

leighkite
TAS, 44 posts
7 Jan 2013 8:26PM
Thumbs Up

true .... the kite has to have rapidly across the wind window to launch you that high no matter how strong the wind is.....

Alan111S
VIC, 19 posts
7 Jan 2013 9:30PM
Thumbs Up

leighkite said...
true .... the kite has to have rapidly across the wind window to launch you that high no matter how strong the wind is.....




I tried to keep it down, about 9-10 oclock. It may be that one of the lines wrapped round something, even the end of the bar. When I got launched it was definitely because the kite moved across the wind window. I was trying to keep the kite in one place, but the gust was so strong.

I'll get the kite owner to get it checked out.

I am incredibly lucky as it could have been a lot worse. The Royal Hobart Hospital is great. I have undergone a small procedure to get my lung reinflated. My ribs hardly hurt and my clavicle is sore, but doesn't need an operation. I have some road rash, but not too much.

Far from stopping me kite boarding, I intend to do something about safety in the sport. Watch this space....

funkyllama
TAS, 308 posts
8 Jan 2013 12:48AM
Thumbs Up

Alan111S said...
My friend Georges kite 10m Ozone Catalyst had tangled lines, which we sorted out so I went for a quick run.


^^Alan does this mean that you were on an Ozone at the time?
The Contact bar that Ozone use has a pull release on the chicken loop. I think most other brands bars have a push release?

Sorry to hear about your injuries and big thanks for posting the incident up, we can all learn from others here.

Alan111S
VIC, 19 posts
8 Jan 2013 10:24AM
Thumbs Up

funkyllama said...
Alan111S said...
My friend Georges kite 10m Ozone Catalyst had tangled lines, which we sorted out so I went for a quick run.


^^Alan does this mean that you were on an Ozone at the time?
The Contact bar that Ozone use has a pull release on the chicken loop. I think most other brands bars have a push release?

Sorry to hear about your injuries and big thanks for posting the incident up, we can all learn from others here.
My Wainman has a push release and
I know it sounds completely stupid, but yes I was probably pushing when I should have been pulling. I really don't mind going over what happened, if it helps anybody at all.

leighkite
TAS, 44 posts
8 Jan 2013 10:37AM
Thumbs Up

I think it goes to show knowing the equipment you are using is really important!

You feeling better mate?

KiteDevil
TAS, 778 posts
8 Jan 2013 3:34PM
Thumbs Up

Yes a line wrapped around the bar, or even a wingtip, will do that if it happened at launch. Done all of those myself during various brain farty type episodes.

Did the kite hit the power lines? If so what happens there, do they just flip their breakers or something? Always freaks me a bit, kites and power lines.

Glad to hear your looking at this openly and happy to talk about it.

Alan111S
VIC, 19 posts
8 Jan 2013 3:52PM
Thumbs Up

leighkite said...
I think it goes to show knowing the equipment you are using is really important!

You feeling better mate?


It's a bit like most car accidents happen within a few kms of home or work. Because I was only going a short distance, I thought it would be Ok.

I am much better. Punctured lung has been reinflated, cracked ribs much better. Sitting up in a chair.

Alan111S
VIC, 19 posts
8 Jan 2013 3:58PM
Thumbs Up

leighkite said...
I think it goes to show knowing the equipment you are using is really important!

You feeling better mate?


It's a bit like most car accidents happen within a few kms of home or work. Because I was only going a short distance, I thought it would be Ok.

I am much better. Punctured lung has been reinflated, cracked ribs much better. Sitting up in a chair.

skinduptruk
NSW, 165 posts
10 Jan 2013 1:38AM
Thumbs Up

KiteDevil said...
Yes a line wrapped around the bar, or even a wingtip, will do that if it happened at launch. Done all of those myself during various brain farty type episodes.

Did the kite hit the power lines? If so what happens there, do they just flip their breakers or something? Always freaks me a bit, kites and power lines.

Glad to hear your looking at this openly and happy to talk about it.


down that way there are some medium voltage "feeder" lines which are 6600V rather than 240V, but either level is still a danger.

unfortunately the standard electrical power distribution protection systems may not be sensitive enough to pickup this type of event.

wet kite lines might carry some power, maybe phase to phase, or worse, one phase to you on the ground. hopefully the kite lines would burn away quick like a fuse, but hard to say what would happen in that short moment where a path might be formed for power to flow, depending on how wet they are, your harness arrangement, your shoes if any, your stance, ground you're standing on, etc.

the call out for the utility would start at around $1000 for the time and effort, which is where your AKSA membership incl public liability comes in to be safe. but the utility is likely more worried about your future safety and avoiding similar events in future for public rather than chasing you for some cash.

great attitude to mention a few details so we can all learn from it and share the know how... already some good reminders and tips have been posted...

Hicko
QLD, 134 posts
14 Jan 2013 10:51PM
Thumbs Up

So sorry to read this thread! Wowa! Schoolies was one spot I have always respected due to the down wind dangers. I had a solo sess there once and after years telling people to walk out at least 50ms to launch, self launched with not much beach at high tide, the rock snot seaweed bound around three of my control lines. The kite started looping and when I pulled my safety there was no depower. Ended up on the road under the power lines- very lucky no car came round the bend. Schoolies can be an awesome spot in the right wind but the setup doesnt forgive mistakes so take it easy there. I've seen several near misses by people at all levels.

Hope the guy who had the accident recovers well and gets back into kiting. Best wishes

Alan111S
VIC, 19 posts
11 Dec 2013 3:35PM
Thumbs Up

11 months after having this accident, I finally got out for a Kite again on Sunday. I must admit I was nervous so decided to go on a Kite Republic Ride Day as my first outing. It was held at Rosebud which is the best place to get confidence back. I started off with a couple of body drags just to feel OK about the power, then got up on the board using the 12m. Conditions were really good - about 17-20 knots NW. Wind died at lunch and we all came in for a feed and it then powered up again a bit stronger - I took down the 12m and put up the 9m which is a much quicker turning kite. Got a couple of tips from KR. I need to go downwind more initially to get going better before trying to 'edge' and I also need to lean back with the hips forward ! Look over my shoulder to go more upwind. Was good advice as I didn't have to do much walking! The injuries are OK - I have a little permanent nerve damage in my left chest area but otherwise everything else is fine.

Met a guy on the day called Zak from Tassie who told me he had heard about the accident and I thought 'Blimey, I'm infamous'. Turned out a friend of a relative of his best friend was the paramedic who brought me to hospital.....

On Sunday I was preaching the safety message and quite a few were listening. Even if it encourages people to think a little about the equipment they choose to use or where their kite is when launching/landing on the beach, or asking more experienced people about the conditions etc.

Regards to all the Tassie Kiters - you have my utmost respect !

Thylacine2
TAS, 6 posts
11 Dec 2013 8:14PM
Thumbs Up


Thanks for update, Good to see your getting back on the horse! If your up the north end of state give me a hoy! cheers

Voitek
QLD, 197 posts
12 Dec 2013 10:11PM
Thumbs Up

Absolutely great to see you're back into it. Hopefully you'll come to tassie for a kite again on better terms.

elhucko
TAS, 253 posts
13 Dec 2013 12:06AM
Thumbs Up

great news, welcome back (-:



Subscribe
Reply

Forums > Kitesurfing Tasmania


"Bets wishes to "whomever that was at schoolies"" started by Smeghead