Helicopter pickup at Sherman Island

robotvox · Post by **robotvox** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 12:58 pm

This thread has inspired me to ditch the board leash.
Now I'm spending a lot of time recovering my board, but I'm learning!

dz · Post by dz » Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:12 pm

ditch board leash, get Go-Joe,
people see you w a Go-Joe, AND they understand they think, "oh newbie" and that you might loose control any second and so they will leave you lots of room... RIGHT?
gO_jOE = nEWBIE

kitenaked · Post by **kitenaked** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 9:23 pm

Learn how to body drag! Ditch the board leash and the Go-Joe.

Oh, did I forget to mention...learn how to body drag.

dz · Post by dz » Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:37 am

don't see how people can get into the sport without learning to body drag, (that's about all I did the first few days,) though I suppose it's possible. I once met a woman who can kiteboard (and body drag) but who doesn't know how to swim (at all).

apologies if this is diverting an important post...old proverb "all is grist for the mill"...

slimvlady · Post by **slimvlady** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:56 pm

It is great to hear so many people concerned about safety. I am not sure the leash was the problem. Inexperience, an unfortunate set of circumstances and choices seem to be the reason for the accident.

It would be great if the kiters in this string were as concerned and vocal about another and more common threat to us all, tricks inside the buoy's. How many times have we seen someone miss the trick and put their kite down near shore or in the bushes. Everyone who is coming in or out is at risk, not to mention the people at the beach. Ironically, it is the locals and best kiters who are the most egregious. They endanger us all and set a bad example for the younger kiters and those new to SI.

We all marvel at the skill of the one's doing the tricks but it would be just as effective if they did their tricks outside the buoy's, we can still see them. How about making an effort to kite responsibly so we can all have a good time.

jen · Post by **jen** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:42 pm

Just a quick update on Matt's status:

He was just released from ICU this afternoon and in a regular hospital room. He is being transferred to a neurological rehabilitation center in Vallejo in the next day or two. It is pretty labor intensive for the patient as well as family.

He knows where and who he is on some days, other days he does not. He is in a difficult phase of this bruising to his brain. This is not an easy fix, the results of the shaking as well as the bruising. It takes time and retraining. It is interesting to talk with him about different subjects when he zooms in with clarity and is focused. Then he is back to the tangential thinking w/ outbursts of anger. On Saturday he added, correctly, his birth date to his social security number and threw in his driver’s license # for good measure. He is very agitated at times and his visitors are very limited for now.

His left eye is opening a bit more open. He doesn’t like moving the left leg. It is painful, even w/ medication. The left hand is moving more. He is in PT for his leg right now learning how to balance and to NOT put any weight on his left leg.

He did tell his Uncle a couple of days ago that he was going to take up fishing for awhile, his Mom was happy to hear that, of course. I will keep you updated as we get more news. We are glad he is finally getting out of the ICU today, he has been in there for 16 days.

feixaq · Post by **feixaq** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:49 pm

Thanks for the update, Jen. We all hope Matt makes a speedy and full recovery!

Greg · Post by **Greg** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:46 pm

WOW! This really makes me think how lucky I was (am)...
God-speed Matt,
Greg

jono · Post by **jono** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:08 pm

YOU ALL MUST WATCH THIS RIGHT NOW!!!

Here's an amazing speech by a lady who is a neuroscientist and had a stroke (really just a different type of brain injury). She explains what the whole process was like as someone who understands the brain -- and goes on into a deeper point that is very inspiring:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/jill ... sight.html

She also has a website:
http://www.drjilltaylor.com/

And a book here:
http://www.amazon.com/Stroke-Insight-Ji ... 071&sr=1-4

Might be helpful for the family or at least provide some distraction during hours in the hospital room.

kitenaked · Post by **kitenaked** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:22 am

Keep us posted how he is doing and when and If we can come visit in Vallejo.

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Helicopter pickup at Sherman Island

Quick update on Matt's recovery

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