There is a database of listing of kitesurfing accidents and incidents reported from around the world at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kitesurf/ ... itesurfing Accident Database/

The purpose of this database is to pass on the hard won lessons often by injury, pain or worse by our fellow riders. I hope that through good communication of the means of not only getting injured but more importantly how to avoid this, we will all benefit.

There is an impressive quantity of injuries that were either less severe due to the use of a helmet or many that might have been less severe if one had been worn. Other trends are also apparent upon closer inspection of the incidents.

Rick Iossi

We all should thank Rick for his work he is doing. Don't forget, it is for the future of ALL kitesurfers. If we can avoid accidents, we avoid media and officials with their bans.

THANK YOU RICK!!!

Toby,

You are most welcome, happy to try to spread the word! My own lofting incident is in there as well. At the time that it happened, the term "lofting" as it applies to kitesurfing didn't exist. I saw that others could be subjected to the same out of control, damaging ride and wanted to try to stop or reduce the chance of that from happening.

I encourage anyone with confirmed accident or incident accounts that carry important lessons to please email them to me. We need to communicate very well. If not, avoidable accidents will be repeated way too often, as they are at present.

Thanks,
Rick Iossi
flkitesurfer@hotmail.com