When accidents like this happen people often ask "Why did he not activate the safety release?"
Things happen really fast ... no really really fast.
We all need to become as fast as gun slingers when it comes to using the safety release.
As drivers of cars or motorbikes we are all very good at using the breaks of our car, but that is becasue we use them all the time when driving normally.
When ever you are starttled when driving your foot goes straight for the break, almost without thinking.
Unfortunatley when it comes to kiting there is no repetative use of the safety release.
Chances are you won't need it for months at a time.
For this reason I came up with a thing I call Safety Release Reflex. SRR.
Basicly what I recommend is to regularly seek, find and get a grip on your safety
so as to develop a natural reflex.
I do this all the time. I sort of made a point of doing this after every move, jump, nice wave set etc.
SRR...I firmly think that it is something we all have to adopt.
I think it is particularly important for everyone, but in particular for talented riders that progress really quickly. For them what happens is that they progress to levels that put them into challenging conditions and unlike a slower learner the sort of don't have the time for "kiting wisdom" to build up. (no offence intended with wisdom).
Here is my original thread discussing the "technique".
viewtopic.php?f=82&t=2357453
Good winds to everyone and make sure you pactice your SRR
That said... SRR is no substitute for being carefull and makeing good judgements... it's just one more thing to help.