Dang. While I was windsurfing on the East side of the Nahant causeway Saturday a kiteboarder got nearly killed on the West side of the causeway at "Dog Beach". Here is the ikitesurf forum thread that describes the accident...
http://www.ikitesurf.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16556
On a related note, American kiteboarder Rob Douglas broke the world speed sailing record AGAIN, just a few days after the last record was set. His speed over 500 meters: 55.65 knots / 64 mph. Crazy. Then he broke his wrist and had to go home to America from Namibia where the record attempt was happening. Check out the ludicrous video.
This kind of thing reinforces my decision to only kite in lighter winds.
Thursday 11 21 24 morning call
15 hours ago
5 comments:
Well, the reason you are you is if you were not, you might be me, and I assure you that would be a mess.
There was a close call at West Dennis, too, which involved a kiter being dragged a looooong way downwind while his kite was death-spiraling. Several kiters and windsurfers had to mount a rescue. It all turned out OK, but...
Seriously, as far as I'm concerned, kiting is for light side-shore winds only. My 9m will remain my smallest kite, and my big slow 13m is my preferred one.
Puffin- Eh, I could probably do worse. :)
Scott- Dang! 12m is my smallest.
What about that donkey thing you told me about that you're supposed to pull for an emergency release? Why didn't that save these people? If I were you I'd put those kites away for good. They ain't natural. Just windsurf and do science.
I read about the accident, really sad to hear it.
And as for the speed record, insane again!
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