Vindicio, Italy, November 2006
I was demoing kites and I had some SLE and some BOW on the beach. The two BOWs where close and of the same colour, from 25 mts they look the same but one was 9m and the other 12m. I took a bar of the 9m and asket a kiter to help to launch. First error: always check to wich kite the bar is attached.
When in water I had to pull the depower a lot but still able to control the kite and I was surprised the power of this 9m, but it was the 12 and after the first small jump I realised it. I was got by a gust and lifted 8-10 mt and started to rotate. I felt in water with my back and the harness hook broke my ribs. Well, problems they never come alone.
The left line was twisted around the bar end so the kite started to move left and relaunched and I made a 20m jump forward. I tried to untwist the line but the kite selflauched again and other jump. Second error: don't wait too much to pull the quick release.
When I decided to release I was not able to catch the handle and again a new jump. Finally I succeded and not beeing connected with the bungee leash the kite went alone.
Always check everithing that could be checked, If you jump learn to control the rotation also when unwanted but most important don't use a kite over powered because at the first problem you have an over problem. Always use a smaller size, SLE and BOW push you to use maybe a 12m in 30 knots! Use and check the bungee leash quick release, it could be usefull.