Forums > Kitesurfing General

How many experienced kitesurfers have died from kitesurfing?

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Created by causehecan > 9 months ago, 6 Jul 2019
causehecan
WA, 668 posts
6 Jul 2019 7:38AM
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Just wondering exactly how many experienced (independant riders who are current (didnt have 5 year break) and competent riders have actually died while kitesurfing that wasnt due to a heart attack etc etc

It seems like its usually classic scenario a beginner or not independant kiter hot launches near obstacles. Or maybe the old days death loop drownings. And of course the coffin dodgers hearts giving out mid session.

Ive heard of plenty of people who were good at kiteing unhooking near obstacles and getting dragged into it breaking bones tearing tendons etc etc but no real deaths once your good. Crathern had that horrible accident and few other big names but it seems really difficult to actually die if you know what your doing....



Anyone know where can find some numbers on this?

Any in australia?

I know everyone gets really emotional over deaths in sports but its a very important learning tool for everyone involved. So that we can prepare for the situation if it arises.

KitersElbow
WA, 78 posts
6 Jul 2019 8:02AM
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I didn't know him, but I understand Marc Sprod was very experienced

www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-23/kitesurfer-dies-in-freak-accident/4975618

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
6 Jul 2019 2:29PM
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causehecan said..
Just wondering exactly how many experienced (independant riders who are current (didnt have 5 year break) and competent riders have actually died while kitesurfing that wasnt due to a heart attack etc etc

It seems like its usually classic scenario a beginner or not independant kiter hot launches near obstacles. Or maybe the old days death loop drownings. And of course the coffin dodgers hearts giving out mid session.

Ive heard of plenty of people who were good at kiteing unhooking near obstacles and getting dragged into it breaking bones tearing tendons etc etc but no real deaths once your good. Crathern had that horrible accident and few other big names but it seems really difficult to actually die if you know what your doing....



Anyone know where can find some numbers on this?

Any in australia?

I know everyone gets really emotional over deaths in sports but its a very important learning tool for everyone involved. So that we can prepare for the situation if it arises.


Likely to decreases with the wind wing craze

Saffer
VIC, 4501 posts
6 Jul 2019 5:29PM
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causehecan said..
Just wondering exactly how many experienced (independant riders who are current (didnt have 5 year break) and competent riders have actually died while kitesurfing that wasnt due to a heart attack etc etc

It seems like its usually classic scenario a beginner or not independant kiter hot launches near obstacles. Or maybe the old days death loop drownings. And of course the coffin dodgers hearts giving out mid session.

Ive heard of plenty of people who were good at kiteing unhooking near obstacles and getting dragged into it breaking bones tearing tendons etc etc but no real deaths once your good. Crathern had that horrible accident and few other big names but it seems really difficult to actually die if you know what your doing....



Anyone know where can find some numbers on this?

Any in australia?

I know everyone gets really emotional over deaths in sports but its a very important learning tool for everyone involved. So that we can prepare for the situation if it arises.


Most of the deaths with experienced riders have occurred because of squalls or unpredictable wind. There was one at Phillip Island nearly 15 years ago.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Kiter-death-at-Pt-Woolamai-Phillip-Island-Vic?page=1

Plummet
4862 posts
6 Jul 2019 6:15PM
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Several per year.

Track down rickl on kiteforum. He keeps a spreadsheet.

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
6 Jul 2019 6:48PM
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Plummet said..
Several per year.

Track down rickl on kiteforum. He keeps a spreadsheet.


He sounds a fun guy to be around

dafish
NSW, 1631 posts
6 Jul 2019 8:59PM
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Rick is a friend of mine, lives in Florida and is VERY competent in multi sports and freediving. He keeps meticulous records and likes to track the safety of all his sports. He is a wealth of knowledge and investigates as many accidents as he can or has time for in order to prevent them in the future. He is not all doom and gloom at all, and he takes some amazing photos. I enjoy his work.

Peahi
VIC, 1467 posts
6 Jul 2019 10:43PM
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Interesting topic: I wonder if experienced kiters are more likely to get seriously injured after a session due to tiredness/fatigue etc coming in after going hard.

while newbies more likely to have accidents launching

But I have seen kiters who would be considered "experienced" doing some pretty dumb stuff.

Plummet
4862 posts
7 Jul 2019 1:30AM
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Peahi said..
Interesting topic: I wonder if experienced kiters are more likely to get seriously injured after a session due to tiredness/fatigue etc coming in after going hard.

while newbies more likely to have accidents launching

But I have seen kiters who would be considered "experienced" doing some pretty dumb stuff.


From my memory experience kiters are pushing the envelope of conditions more so than newbies. So launching/landing is tight gusty spots in high wind. Taking on stormy conditions, Using kites too big for the gust swing because the can "handle it"

Dave Whettingsteel
WA, 1396 posts
7 Jul 2019 2:06AM
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Maybe 2 in the Midwest in my time kiting here.

What i feel you are missing is that its a very raw and painful experience to have a fatality or near fatality in your close community. Be it sport or familiy.

Why are you asking this question?

SaveTheWhales
WA, 1869 posts
7 Jul 2019 11:25AM
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Richoa
NSW, 478 posts
7 Jul 2019 3:00PM
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HDave Whettingsteel said..
Maybe 2 in the Midwest in my time kiting here.

What i feel you are missing is that its a very raw and painful experience to have a fatality or near fatality in your close community. Be it sport or familiy.

Why are you asking this question?


I think its a reasonable topic to broach and also think we should be fed more info as to what happens in kiting accidents. Its a belief of mine kitesurfing is a reasonably safe sport if we manage the risks. But mistakes happen and it can quickly escalate for the worst. Knowledge of the mistakes helps us learn, helps equipment makers design to avoid these possibilities, Avoiding the topic places us all in misconscieved idea we know all the risks.

Having the discussion and examining what went wrong is in my mind no way disrespecting people that maybe of been impacted, its a tool to avoid it happening to others or giving skills to deal with it and achieve safe result.

we should always seek to learn in this area, no matter how good or experienced.

causehecan
WA, 668 posts
7 Jul 2019 5:14PM
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Plummet said..
Several per year.

Track down rickl on kiteforum. He keeps a spreadsheet.


Cheers plummet ill hit him up... Better not be your alt account to just find out who my kiteforum username is :P

causehecan
WA, 668 posts
7 Jul 2019 5:14PM
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Plummet said..
Several per year.

Track down rickl on kiteforum. He keeps a spreadsheet.


Cheers plummet ill hit him up... Better not be your alt account to just find out who my kiteforum username is :P

causehecan
WA, 668 posts
7 Jul 2019 5:23PM
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Dave Whettingsteel said..
Maybe 2 in the Midwest in my time kiting here.

What i feel you are missing is that its a very raw and painful experience to have a fatality or near fatality in your close community. Be it sport or familiy.

Why are you asking this question?


In the aviation world we get a yearly report and actually paid to write stories on our near death experiences so we can all learn from it.

Also hells promote reporting.

Turns a dark side of things into a bit of a positive. Keeps the sport growing and learning.

Personally Im asking mostly tho because holly jeeeesus ive kited while on lsd ,meth stoned and so drunk i cant walk and hardly see countless times. Ive kited while at night at 4 am after being thrown out of the pub. Marooned on islands etc etc just cant seem to figure out how people are dieing doing this sport. Just keep 50 meters from obstacles and your right as rain and im one of those muppets who are unhooking loops 10m from the setup area

So you know research. And bit of a topic for you all to get the juices flowing.

Ill be hitting up old mate and hopefully he lets us republish his stats on here.

iandvnt
QLD, 581 posts
8 Jul 2019 12:12AM
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It is an emotive subject. I could find about 17 kiteboarding deaths in 2018 with just english language google searches.

I have known competent riders that have died kiting. I don't think for a minute they wouldn't want people to learn from their tragic situations if possible.

Most people seem to get thrown by the kite on land and sustain severe trauma injuries, or get knocked out on the water and drown.


Reality is that kiteboarding is dangerous, you can choose to learn from other peoples experience or not.

Kiteboarding is awesome.













Underoath
QLD, 2429 posts
8 Jul 2019 11:59AM
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I had an accident a few years ago now.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Thanks-for-saving-my-life?page=1


My own fault due to not maintaining my equipment.

Peahi
VIC, 1467 posts
8 Jul 2019 1:19PM
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causehecan said..

In the aviation world we get a yearly report and actually paid to write stories on our near death experiences so we can all learn from it.

Personally Im asking mostly tho because holly jeeeesus ive kited while on lsd ,meth stoned and so drunk i cant walk and hardly see countless times. Ive kited while at night at 4 am after being thrown out of the pub. Marooned on islands etc etc just cant seem to figure out how people are dieing doing this sport. Just keep 50 meters from obstacles and your right as rain and im one of those muppets who are unhooking loops 10m from the setup area


Crikey I hope you don't fly planes...?! but if you died kiting it would not need much explanation...

causehecan
WA, 668 posts
8 Jul 2019 1:10PM
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Actually i tried acid while gliding. Its so so so so so not a good idea. And was just enough to really feel it. Drinking and flying much worse tho.

Way it goes is your relying entirely on repitition and muscle memory to save your ass. As saying goes you can drive back from pub everynight for a year no dramas. butyou could do it blind folded but second something changes on that route like a dog or a bird maybe detour your toast.

Its no different for kiteing. But for me the ride home from the pub is pretty much any kite condition you can think of. Cause after all thats where i do my drinking.

Anyways so just wondered what the inevitable goat in the road will be for me.

Being surrounded by water can only hit water still seems fairly safe.

Ive had plenty of back edges and seeing little black squares flying around tho so maybe a concussion/drowning combo it will be for me.

amirite
350 posts
8 Jul 2019 1:35PM
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Dave Whettingsteel said..

Why are you asking this question?


maybe a cry for help

bearbusa
QLD, 295 posts
8 Jul 2019 4:21PM
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SaveTheWhales said..


Well said in this cartoon
Geez why would this post even be on the forum, get a life and enjoy ever day , so so much dribble on this forum now from certain people
Get off the computer and get in the water??

amirite
350 posts
8 Jul 2019 5:25PM
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bearbusa said..


SaveTheWhales said..

Get off the computer and get in the water??




N0

iT'S NOW NIGHTIME

Peahi
VIC, 1467 posts
9 Jul 2019 10:00AM
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amirite said..
maybe a cry for help


especially that you have two personalities

causehecan
WA, 668 posts
9 Jul 2019 2:34PM
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You do know im not amirite right? It would take laurie about 5 minutes to check amirites ip and mine and see theyre not same or even coming from same area (i think) and more so he can see if i have alternative account (shock horror i dont)

Plus wheres amirites 10 paragraph long rant on aerial awareness of a cat or something simular?

I think you all got together and created this causehecan is useing multiple accounts story to try have me penalised somehow.

But why? What are you even scared of? I even had one of you accuse me of being pete cabrinha im assumeing that one was atleast a joke but i really dont dont whats whats going on in the inner sanctom. But somethings happening. Because im copping alot of heat for no reason its like everyone that had a skeleton in theyre closet suddenly thinks its me!

I feel like im in that crazy norway film the hunt

amirite
350 posts
9 Jul 2019 2:50PM
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its cause our handles are both compound words
so we must be one and the same

causehecan
WA, 668 posts
9 Jul 2019 4:17PM
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I thought it was cause our names spelt backwards mean something in khazak

Were humble butchers from khazakstan

We should both just pretend to be laurie. Thatll throw them. Server stats were down. Needed to boost numbers so that the sponsors would pay more cause increased traffic to promote all theyre brand new 2020 stock. Only problem is i think we have to grow mullets now. But we can stop wearing pants

amirite
350 posts
9 Jul 2019 4:23PM
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causehecan said..
I feel like im in that crazy norway film the hunt


maybe you are a citizen in the book *nineteen eighty four

Kay1982
NSW, 274 posts
9 Jul 2019 6:37PM
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??x2

Kay1982
NSW, 274 posts
9 Jul 2019 6:38PM
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I wish i was you guys.

Kay1982
NSW, 274 posts
9 Jul 2019 6:39PM
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I broke my thumb in my bum hole- does that mean I win?

causehecan
WA, 668 posts
9 Jul 2019 4:40PM
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amirite said..

causehecan said..
I feel like im in that crazy norway film the hunt



maybe you are a citizen in the book *nineteen eighty four




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"How many experienced kitesurfers have died from kitesurfing?" started by causehecan