Kiteboarding Wipeouts + Injuries / Affect on Knees

[logicbombv]

I'm just getting into the sport and have just read the two recently active threads about the 'accidents' at Sherman Island in which helicopters had to be deployed. I don't really understand how such bad accidents can occur unless there's a brick wall in the middle of the water and you slam in it going 25+ mph. I've watched a few of the 'wipeout' videos on YouTube and read many forums about details, but things just don't add up. I've heard numerous ppl cite the biggest causes of injury are leashes and not letting go of the bar, so how exactly do these cause people to suffer major injuries like that dude Matt (RIP). It seems like worst case a big gust could only dislocate a shoulder, and the leash could break a leg.

Also, on a somewhat unrelated note, how is kiteboarding on the knees. The ACL in my left knee has a minor tear, but it usually doesn't affect me with medium impact sports. Since the force of the kite is pulling up and out, I would think it would be very minimal. The leg would be my front foot. Also, is there a lot of twisting on the knees? Hard to tell from videos.

[schwede]

logicbombv lots of bad things can happen so just make sure you take lessons. As far as your Knee if it is already torn I would be very careful. Oh yeah here is what a bad accident looks like without a brick wall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU2rvG7jfs4

[windhorny]

These accidents start by other people who have that same attitude. Some were simply unfortunate and these things can happen to anyone at any moment. Mostly what seems to happen is that someone ONLY HAS a certain size kite (usualy too big) and they HAVE to get out. Both of the recent incidents were partially due to riggin too large and getting a bad gust. When you actually have a kite attached to you and swing it through the power of the wind window, you will understand first hand what looping the kite can do to an unsuspecting kiter.

As suggested, take lessons, and as many as you may need.

Simply falling on your face while riding can hurt like getting punched in the face. So imagine being lofted 10'20' in the air with a strong yank in the forward direction. Just landing that can hurt. Things happen very quickly when they go wrong. When you are learning you have alot, maybe too many, things to focus on at once. This will increase the probability that you will either forget to do something right or hesitate to eject.

As for bad knees. The kite is pulling in an upward direction but this does not eliminate the fact that your body is still absorbing almost all of the shock from the choppy water. Assuming you ride safely and dont do any big tricks, you will probably be fine. But keep in mind that some kiters have seriously broke themselves by doing relatively simple things, i.e. backrolls. If one foot comes out and the other stays in you open up a whole new realm or injury possibilities.

Based on your post i will assume you have not actually kited yet? Just don't play the fool and think you will be ok without a good 1 or 2 lessons. Some people have taken 8 and still have no business being on the water. Others think this is a sport they can just try for a day like it is a blimp ride. Some pick it up instantly. Know yourself and you will be safer as well as preventing incidents with others.

[L.M.G.]

My advise /reply : stick to watching video's .


L.M.G.

[adamrod]

kiting is pretty harsh on the knees. I know lots of people who have torn ACLs kiting. definitely wear a brace at least if you've got an injury there.

[vant20]

The injuries at Sherman happened on land while people were preparing to go on the water. Lots of bad things can happen on the water but on land even a small 'jump' can have very bad consequences.

Lessons are a must, they are a lot less expensive than a ride in the ambulance. I already took 3-4 and I do not plan to go at Sherman any time soon.

[L.M.G.]

I didn't kite Sherman for about 1.5 years, I didn't kite Crissies fields either...
Places like T.I. probably just shouldn't be kited. ,but I eventually had a LOT of FUN there! (I used to shed a lot of loose skin back in those days..)

Awe-but we had fun..
BLOODY good time, kiting can be.
Enjoy!!!
L.M.G.

[jbirdmarin]

Ironically, the simple act of kiting is actually GREAT exercise for the knees, its the other stuff, jumping, landing, twisting, falling, etc... that is dangerous. Just a few things over my past 4 years of kiting:

Partially tore my ACL and meniscus during a hot launch (didn't have the knowledge just to SIT DOWN) and tried to stop the kite by running. Rookie mistake.

Tore it again (this time req'ing complete ACL reconstruction) in a panic move in the mud. I still can't really figure out how it happened.

Stepped on a lightbulb while launching, went to ER with a 3" slash.

Cut a friend down from a tree after his lines got crossed up during a hot launch. He flew over a policeman's carhood (who just happened to be there looking for dog's w/o leashes) and luckily didn't get hurt at all.

Sprinted down the beach to save a guy who was death spiraling towards the shore - his bar was jammed under his chicken loop. Kite would loop twice, hit the water, relaunch, repeat. He was busy trying to breath for the 3 seconds the kite was on the water and didn't think to cut his lines (or didn't have a knife?) Jumped on the kite on the shorebreak before it launched him into the trees and houses a la http://cbs4.com/video/?id=60523@wfor.dayport.com.

Just this past Tuesday: I've been self launching/landing at my home spot for over 2 years straight w/o any issues and get violently dragged about 50 feet on the shore by my 9M because of pilot-induced oscillation (thanks who ever defined that term the other day) which I can only assume is because I've been flying my 12M so much of late. Never happened before.

This are pretty minor tales that I'm sure pale in comparison to stories BAK kiters can tell - i just thought it would be helpful for you to see a few. Sometimes my friends ask me how you can get hurt on the water, and i ask them if they've ever waterskied, and instead of falling and letting go of the rope, you are secure in a harness and the boat keeps going.

Sailors will tell you that the sport is 95% boredom, 5% terror. All the prep, safety, instruction is to prepare you for the 5%. You can't eliminate the danger of kiting, but you can prepare for it. Having the right attitude and respect for the power of the kite is the first step in my opinion.

[schwede]

logicbombv I saw in one of your earlier post you said the trainer kite session was a waste of money. I am a beginner also but I hope you take the above advice and take kiting a little more serious.

[elli]

An accident normally happens like this:
1. Kite launched for someone that does not have good power kite skills
2. Kiter sends the kite in a direction that generates a massive power spike
3. Power of the kite throws the kiter around, and he/she hits something.
4. No water involved.

That’s what I have seen so far many times.

Another typical accident sequence:

1. Kiter does not have enough kite flying skills, respect for the kite, spatial awareness, respect for his fellow kiteboarders, knowledge of beach rules that were made to keep him out of trouble, etc.
2. Accident