Wow you mean to tell me if you go in the water there is a possibilty of drowning? Thanks for the heads up.
Let me get this straight, you aknowledge there is more chance being killed in a car crash and it is more dangerous driving your kid down the beach and you probably do that all the time, take em to school, to friends houses etc.
But you won't let them have piggy back for a few runs at a lesser risk? Seriously name a water sport that would be less a risk. How many kids have died kiting, I'm willing to bet, zero. (Not saying it isn't possible). If your in the water theres a risk that they might drown. I would hate to see what some of you would think of Trav Pastrana doing a back flip on his motor cross bike with his young cousin sitting in front of him.
^--- What exactly are the statistics?
Num kiters/kiter deaths
Num drivers/driver deaths?
I think the point most are trying to make, keeping it with comparing cars and kites, is that the harness is a bit of a death trap, a safety belt is not.
Someone mentioned that particular brand has a release, I wouldn't expect a 3 yr old to release herself in an emergency situation.
I`m so glad my parents were how they were and not the type that wanted to keep me wrapped up in cotton wool. My dad was always doing "stupid" crazy things with my brother and I. And we loved it!
I know there is the other side to the argument, things can go wrong etc. But personally I wouldn`t have wanted it any other way. And I think it`s made me the person I am today, no not stupid and reckless
just fun and outgoing, enjoy life to the fullest.
My experience with kids, especially quite young ones is that if they don`t want to do something you`ll know it (they scream their heads off, cry etc.)
I think it goes without saying, you`re not going to start doing crazy tricks with your kid on your back (my dad probably would have), or under dodgey wind, sea conditions. Just a little cruise not too far out and back. And you obviously wont launch and land with littleone on your back.
This is a very old photo. My dad used to take us swimming to this river, after the rains the rapids were very strong. Was that irresponsible? Probably, but it was great fun! We used to beg our parents to take us there.
What a bunch of f$%king idiots!
Mild risk, acceptable and kids in the same sentence? Yeah right buddy.
Regular day to day life activities where kids are concerned granted, are dangerous enough.
But you keep rolling the dice my friend, keep running with the "kids in cotton wool" defence, yeah she'll be right, up the ante, it's only a little risk,what could possibly happen? After all Im an expert coitsurfer.
Risk vs outcome - do the math, you all obviously have your heads up your a***s.
Lets talk to the kids in RCH or people at docs who have suffered/witnessed the consequences of an adults perception of "acceptable or minor risk".
Perfect argument for contraception.
How about we all tell others how they should live their lives, what they should and shouldn't do, what they can and can't watch- oh yeah and how to raise their kids.
We live in the biggest nation of wowsers and killjoys who want everybody else to be as boring as them...
I am sick to death of the fun police- a dad spending time doing something fun with his kids is a positive in my opinion.
When I have kids ( I don't yet ) they will be out scraping knees and breaking bones like kids should.
Fun up you old sad sacks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm thinking this little teacup has got quite a storm brewing in it. For crying out loud guys, what a bunch of moaners!
I love the idea of taking my daughter out like that. She's not yet two, so it's a few years away. But it looks like a great activity.
Yeah, sure you'd have to choose the time and place. But somewhere that was thigh deep a few hundred metres out would be sweet. A nice steady seabreeze.
It's been shown time after time that people's perceotion of risk is terrible. People are afraid of flying. In terms of deaths per kilopmetres travelled, cars a hundreds of times more dangerous. I was reading somewhere that after september 11 world trade centre stuff, there was a massive downturn in people flying, and people drive instead. As a consequence the road toll increased significantly, and about the same number of excess deaths occurred from car accidents over the next six months
I might have the numbers a bit wrong, but the point holds. Great article in New Scientist a couple of months ago about it.
Skateboarding in the driveway is safe? I don't think so. Working in emergency departments I've seen some bloody terrible accidents.
amazing, it's obviously only knee deep, if something went wrong ditch the whole kite, don't even use a leash. Carry kid back to mum with the camera. Get kite. And yes you can do this safely you pack of retards.
No-one else around, Queensland sunny seabreeze by the looks of it, great fun.
Why all this wowser bull****? This sounds like a bunch of women dribbling **** justifying owning massive SUV's for the safety of thier children.
My kids, one is 1.5, come canoeing with me. Sure they have a PFD, but the boat could roll, they could get a knock on their head, they could drown! Yes, but they could also miss out on fishing, seeing different places, tranquillty, and experience.
Raise your kids however you friggin well want to, and ease up on how others decide to raise theirs.
yeah, what if the dog fell into the water and got run over by a windsurfer with a razor sharp titanium fin with saw teeth ??
just do it, whats the worst that can happen?
if the kids gets hurt then you will never forgive yourself,
the wife will never let you forget,
and if you really hurt them, Docs wont let you forget.
Best to let them hang onto the harness while you body drag, that way they can let go after they get a gob full of sea water, or let them sit on the front of a windsurfer while you kite, there are uses for all those old windsurfers under the house.
Mmmm now that kind of tandem kiting I can enjoy!
Years ago I used to go and watch a mate compete in motocross. There used to be kids there racing as young as five. And I don`t mean just scooting along. They go quite fast and some of the crashes were pretty hard. I`m sure even with all the protective gear every once in a while one would have to go to hospital. Does that make those parents irresponsible?
A friend of mine is exactly the opposite. He wrapps his kids up in so much cotton wool it`s unbelievable. No skate boards allowed, hardly ever takes them down to the beach because even playing in the shallows is dangerous according to him.
Because he is such a big wooss his kids are not enjoying what life is about, getting out there, getting dirty and doing what most kids love, a bit of ruff and tumble.
This topic can go on forever. You want your kids to have fun and I`m sure there`s always an element of risk. It`s just knowing where to draw the line and that`s all about good parenting.
Don't be a bunch of Kill Joys.
Taking out a kid on your kite is safe given the conditions and surroundings are right.
I take my nephew out all the time, he is 10 mind, has a life jacket on and only stands in between my legs so that not attached.
I only ride in water he can stand in.
But please do way up risks, 4 I think is too young, they can't swim too well and strapping them to you is not clever if something goes wrong. They do need easy get out clause that they can be in control of, otherwise risks are greater of something going wrong.
Common sense is what is needed in all situation, but unfortunately I don't think everyone has the same opinion on this.
And I really belive some people are natural victims, cause there always seems to be the same people that I need to rescue all the time.
Now I am not saying nothing goes wrong with me ever, I have had lines snap and leading edge burst, but I know how to get out of that situation, and I don't panic.
The people you need to worry about are those gumbies that panic when they are out of their control zone.
Have fun with your kids, but don't take Unnecessary risks.
just fun and outgoing, enjoy life to the fullest.
Perhaps we should all start riding with kids strapped to our backs- new sdtyle of kiteboarding???????.
