Guys just want here your thoughts on the following.
I've been milling around the photos section at KPWT and I'm shocked to see the lack of Safety devices on the Male competitors. I've seen a few of the Female competitors using Safety leashes but that about it. I would have thought by now after recent events in our Sport that Safety devices would become mandatory! Our Pros should be setting examples by wearing Safety gear at all times. Does anyone know if Safety devices at Tours such as KPWT and PKRA are encouraged,or is it the riders that are dictating to them ? I mean you look at Wakeboarding no way near as dangerous as Kiteboarding, and these guys are forced to wear helmets at Comps as well as Impact vests. Bottom line is, the two main Kiteboard tours we have at this stage are great Ambassadors for our sport with T.V coverage being sent all over the world. And its unfortunate that the image that is being sent out is that Kiteboarding is such a safe sport that Helmets don't need to be warn and neither do safety leashes. I mean how can we get messages across that SAFETY is of utmost importance when almost 90 % of the media exposure we have be it Vid's or pic's have the leaders in our sport flying around with little or no safety devices attached to them selves.
1. none of the Competitors use Helmets.
2. Few of the Competitors use Safety leashes.
3. none use Impact vests.
Thing is we are dealing with a sport that uses Mother Nature as its fuel and Mother Nature has a tendency to through us Curve Balls now and then, so when she does we need to be prepared for it no questions asked. Until Tour Organizers have a Direct line to the Man up stairs, they should be taking a harder stance towards Safety amongst Competitors and use the Tours to promote the Wearing of Safety gear at all times no matter how good they think they are !
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Xboy on 2002-11-05 09:43 ]</font>