Disaster in High Winds + Lessons Learned
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:11 pm
Fifth season kiting, and there's still new stuff happening. The fun never stops!
Launched at Alameda around 2 pm. It didn't seem incredibly windy on shore, and folks were pumping 12m's so I went with the 12--I like to be a little overpowered for jumps. Be careful what you wish for--I was overpowered right from the start, but it seemed manageable and I did, in fact, get some big jumps. The wind picked up even more, and I finally had to admit defeat and head back to the beach. I'm downwind because of all the jumping---it was a slog, fighting the kite all the way which was at or close to 12 o'clock.
Finally reach the shack area, and the tiny launch zone is packed--at least seven or eight kites being set up. A few more kites across the path. There's no easy place to land. I'm tired and still super-powered up.
This was a new one for me.
I signal for a landing, and I'm trying to "thread the needle" and land in an empty patch between people and kites, but the wind is really whipping and I can't get a good angle or get the kite closer than about 20 feet to the ground. Suddenly, the kite dives head-first into the grass and then hot launches. I get jerked forward, dragged across the path (or maybe flew over it), smashed through somebody's bagged gear (which was probably a good thing for me), and then I roll and bounce a bit before stopping. I FINALLY pulled my quick release. The kite ended up in the tree next to the road. Some very nice fellows helped with my kite and showed the appropriate concern for my health.
This, in case you're wondering, was not fun. Thankfully, no injuries save a tiny cut on my pinkie which didn't even bleed. I was lucky.
So lessons learned:
1. It was low, low tide. The wind on the beach is not always indicative of the wind out in the (distant) water.
2. I should've been more conservative and gone back for my 9m as soon as I saw how strong the wind was. I was swayed by the siren song of big lofty jumps.
3. You do not tell the wind how you will land your kite, the wind tells you. I should've found an alternative to landing in the middle of a packed kite zone. The beach would've been a better option, though I also worry about getting dragged into the berm if there's a mishap. But I need space, even if I have to go out and land in some mud and shallow pools.
4. I got cocky and said "I can land this thing." I should've ramped up disaster preparation and been mentally rehearsing pulling my quick release *immediately.*
5. Probably not a good idea in such conditions to land close to the path, or anything hard, pointy, or abrasive.
6. Being overdressed is a good thing. I think I'll keep wearing the helmet.
Launched at Alameda around 2 pm. It didn't seem incredibly windy on shore, and folks were pumping 12m's so I went with the 12--I like to be a little overpowered for jumps. Be careful what you wish for--I was overpowered right from the start, but it seemed manageable and I did, in fact, get some big jumps. The wind picked up even more, and I finally had to admit defeat and head back to the beach. I'm downwind because of all the jumping---it was a slog, fighting the kite all the way which was at or close to 12 o'clock.
Finally reach the shack area, and the tiny launch zone is packed--at least seven or eight kites being set up. A few more kites across the path. There's no easy place to land. I'm tired and still super-powered up.
This was a new one for me.
I signal for a landing, and I'm trying to "thread the needle" and land in an empty patch between people and kites, but the wind is really whipping and I can't get a good angle or get the kite closer than about 20 feet to the ground. Suddenly, the kite dives head-first into the grass and then hot launches. I get jerked forward, dragged across the path (or maybe flew over it), smashed through somebody's bagged gear (which was probably a good thing for me), and then I roll and bounce a bit before stopping. I FINALLY pulled my quick release. The kite ended up in the tree next to the road. Some very nice fellows helped with my kite and showed the appropriate concern for my health.
This, in case you're wondering, was not fun. Thankfully, no injuries save a tiny cut on my pinkie which didn't even bleed. I was lucky.
So lessons learned:
1. It was low, low tide. The wind on the beach is not always indicative of the wind out in the (distant) water.
2. I should've been more conservative and gone back for my 9m as soon as I saw how strong the wind was. I was swayed by the siren song of big lofty jumps.
3. You do not tell the wind how you will land your kite, the wind tells you. I should've found an alternative to landing in the middle of a packed kite zone. The beach would've been a better option, though I also worry about getting dragged into the berm if there's a mishap. But I need space, even if I have to go out and land in some mud and shallow pools.
4. I got cocky and said "I can land this thing." I should've ramped up disaster preparation and been mentally rehearsing pulling my quick release *immediately.*
5. Probably not a good idea in such conditions to land close to the path, or anything hard, pointy, or abrasive.
6. Being overdressed is a good thing. I think I'll keep wearing the helmet.