What about a life vest ?

[vdeub]

Dont want to hijack a very sad thread, but i have been kiting OB almost everyday when possible since a couple of years (lucky to live on La Playa) and after a good dozen of bad experiences in small to big surf, i always go out with my "Kayak"- style Life vest, even in 4-5ft waves. The difference is huge and even it cannot prevent tangles, you would be surprised how fast (still too long) you pop out of 2 meters of white. Still, i am almost the only one to wear one, as far as i can tell (i dont usually kite with the pack at the cliff, but more south). i believe the extra flotation reduce the drag by the kite when rolled into the waves as you get pushed too. the extra pocket give you another knife and a radio. i can barely fell it anymore. the only issue i have is the tendency to go up with my harness, but with straps you could attach harness and vest to prevent this.

As i am surfing too, i realised that a lot of people are kiting in overhead to double overhead (crank up quickly if it blows 25knots), conditions that most experienced surfers at OB would fear. The ability to go out in very big surf with a kite versus paddling with a surfboard tend to deform the reality of the strength of the waves. IMHO.

[eag]

yeah, I doubt many of us would think of paddling out in the size surf we kite in. I doubt we'd even be able to get outside.

[WindMuch]

I think about the life jacket issue when kiting in the surf as well.

After surfing OB for 25+ years and windsurfing there for 15+, I've been hammered enough times to have total respect for the place. I just started kiting there this year, so Scott's death is particularly devastating. My brother in law died two summers ago (cycling accident); the times now are unimaginable for a family. When you leave the world early, you leave a very big hole.

When the surf is big and you get in trouble (i.e. your kite is in the water), there are definitely times when it's a good thing to be able to dive deep, UNDER the whitewater. In those cases, it would not be so great to be wearing additional flotation as it'd keep you from getting down deep, underneath the maelstrom above.

That said, having some floatation is pretty great if you have to ditch your kite and you're a half mile plus from the beach.

Hmmmm...

Kirk out

[Greg]

Judging from Scott's photo I'd say he was pretty well covered for impact and floatation. His leash release was mounted in front next to his hook. He looked to be very fit and looking over his bio I see he'd had lots of water sports background..

As I can see he had most of the safety bases covered.. What he lacked was skill's equal to conditions. That said; many kiters with vastly more experance had a very difficult time that day, as the conditions got worse guys with 7m kites were getting blown off the water...

Know when to say when-
It's important to keep the ego in check.

I looked at the conditions on line and didn't think I had what it would take... so I played it safe and kited Alameda instead-

[WindMuch]

On Sunday, I stopped by 3rd (with my family, on the way home from the Maker Faire) around 6:45pm.

Probably blowing well over 35 just off the parking lot, surely harder in the channel.

Strange thing was, there were ZERO people in the water. No kiters. No windsurfers. Nada. Zilch.

I figured *somebody* would be in the water. Maybe it was the beginning of the 'No Fly Day" for Scott Murray.

It was totally creepy seeing the place so empty...

Kirk out

[vdeub]

When the surf is big and you get in trouble (i.e. your kite is in the water), there are definitely times when it's a good thing to be able to dive deep, UNDER the whitewater. In those cases, it would not be so great to be wearing additional flotation as it'd keep you from getting down deep, underneath the maelstrom above.

I have being caught in a maelstrom twice at OB , on a big day, in kitesurfing, with my lifejacket (maybe12-15ft, outside). it s was scary but i got ejected kind of fast. shaked but not even close to be out of breath. One day, with clean double overhead while surfing - i manage to go out - an exploit as i am not a very experienced surfer - got pounded by much more smaller set 8-10ft, diving under etc.. much more scary and exhausting. i prefer the PFD and would use one while surfing if it was possible.

[adamrod]

the best rule of thumb is still, don't kite in water you wouldn't swim in.

if you're kiting 1.5 miles out in the bay, you better be comfortable swimming 1.5 miles back home.

if you're kiting in double overhead swell, you better be comfortable swimming in double overhead swell too.

[friggin old guy]

OB demands respect. No matter how you're equipped, you'd better be prepared to get your butt kicked now and then.

OB gets these weird rips that pop up in a minute and disappear just as quickly. When it's big, you get different zones where it breaks and then reforms. Sometimes you'll get stuck in a zone where the rip keeps pulling you right into the impact zone. It can be difficult to keep your wits about you, especially when it's big.

PFD might be a good idea, but I like the idea of being able to dive deep under the turbulence.....but that's when I'm surfing and (hopefully) have a giant flotation device tied to my leg.

When kiting, the rips can cause a situation where your downed kite gets pushed back towards you, slacking lines. There's enough water moving around that you have little control over whether those lines get wrapped around you. Per other advice posted, if you don't think you can relaunch, better to release and get away from your lines pronto. It's safer and it'll keep your kite from getting destroyed.

Usually the kite'll end up on the beach all soggified, and it it works out right you or a buddy will be able to get to it before it takes out bystanders.

There's a perception out there that says if you have a small enough kite you can depower for any condition. I think anytime it starts going over 35, you'd better be really dialed in. Consequences of mishap when it's up that high is magnified.

Latest tragedy at OB speaks to that. Per some of the other postings, even guys that have tons of experience in the surf can have mishaps.

OB has moods which are sometimes so ugly you shouldn't even look at it.

[adamrod]

i think a better compromise might just be an impact vest? not quite as much flotation, but still quite a bit. better maneuverability as well...

keep in mind that a lot of tow surfers wear life vests/impact vests...so having extra flotation in huge waves is probaby a good thing.

[rado1968]

As I can see he had most of the safety bases covered.. What he lacked was skill's equal to conditions.

I was there with Scott on Sunday and as much as it pains me to read your post, I cannot disagree.

There is so many what ifs...and for some reason none of us wanted to go to 3rd Ave or some more intermediate location. I really don't think any of us had anything to prove.

We had a "kid" with us that I was concerned about, not Scott. Well... kid.. Matt is 24y/o, 6'3'', 240lb and stronger then ox. He was the first one in and I kept an eye on his Slingshot nonstop. He got his ass handed to him but stayed within his comfort zone close to shore.

When I launched Scott the only thing I said to him was "to have fun". Never, ever, ever I would think those would be my last words to him.

Did we fucked up? Absolutely!