Lots of accidents out there, too many. It seems that a lot of them could have been avoided if a bit more care had been used. We love this sport and our ability to pursue it. Lets work to protect our ability to ride and while we are at it, ourselves and others.
The following cover letter has been prepared to go out to shops, schools, clubs, associations and individual riders everywhere. The letter is designed to build a case supporting the "Ten Points For Kiteboarding." It would be great to get everyone's input on these two documents, finalize them and then send them out as widely as possible. It sould be possible, I think, to put both the cover letter and "Ten Points" on to a single sheet of paper.
If you own a shop or school, consider printing them out and passing them along to your customers. Riders could do the same to their friends. We are all in this great sport together and we will benefit or lose out as our actions dictate. I say, lets work to keep down avoidable accidents and keep our access to ride.
Some riders are already translating the Ten Points document. It would be a great thing if other riders could also translate these documents to help spread the word. Perhaps we could ask Toby to upload the translated versions to the B2B section of the site. To avoid repetition it would be good to know what translations are underway.
FKA, Inc.
transcribed by:
Rick Iossi
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: RickI on 2002-11-27 13:16 ]</font>
Please read this
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RickI
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Draft letter, what do you think?
Kiteboarding is an incredible new extreme sport that is spreading rapidly around the World. The thrills and shear joy of flashing over the water and flinging yourself, spinning into the sky at will can be addicting. A good session often enough leaves you hungering for MORE!
With all this power, as they said in the movie "Spiderman", comes great responsibility. True story. We were talking about throwing full grown adults into the sky over the water for fun, correct? There is a lot of power there. Responsibility to protect bystanders, access for all kiteboarders and yourself for your love ones. Kiteboarding is an incredible rush; severe pain and ridicule from your friends for causing an avoidable accident and potentially loosing access by careless actions are not. We can ride on the edge and visit the extreme but like flying an airplane or rock climbing there is a way and conditions to do it in and some to AVOID.
This year and particularly in the last month there have been a number of serious and in some cases fatal kiteboarding accidents. Some of these incidents may have been avoidable if additional care had been taken. Would you fly an airplane into a severe storm cloud? No, why then would you kiteboard near one? So grab all the adrenaline rush and sensation that kiteboarding can deliver just go at it with adequate care. If not, don't be surprised if something bad comes your way. It has already for some unfortunate riders.
Please consider working "Ten Points for Kiteboarding" into your riding habits. They may help to keep both you and bystanders safer and help to maintain access for us all to enjoy this great sport.
FKA, Inc.
Transcribed by:
Rick Iossi
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: RickI on 2002-11-27 13:12 ]</font>
Kiteboarding is an incredible new extreme sport that is spreading rapidly around the World. The thrills and shear joy of flashing over the water and flinging yourself, spinning into the sky at will can be addicting. A good session often enough leaves you hungering for MORE!
With all this power, as they said in the movie "Spiderman", comes great responsibility. True story. We were talking about throwing full grown adults into the sky over the water for fun, correct? There is a lot of power there. Responsibility to protect bystanders, access for all kiteboarders and yourself for your love ones. Kiteboarding is an incredible rush; severe pain and ridicule from your friends for causing an avoidable accident and potentially loosing access by careless actions are not. We can ride on the edge and visit the extreme but like flying an airplane or rock climbing there is a way and conditions to do it in and some to AVOID.
This year and particularly in the last month there have been a number of serious and in some cases fatal kiteboarding accidents. Some of these incidents may have been avoidable if additional care had been taken. Would you fly an airplane into a severe storm cloud? No, why then would you kiteboard near one? So grab all the adrenaline rush and sensation that kiteboarding can deliver just go at it with adequate care. If not, don't be surprised if something bad comes your way. It has already for some unfortunate riders.
Please consider working "Ten Points for Kiteboarding" into your riding habits. They may help to keep both you and bystanders safer and help to maintain access for us all to enjoy this great sport.
FKA, Inc.
Transcribed by:
Rick Iossi
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: RickI on 2002-11-27 13:12 ]</font>
-
RickI
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Draft "TEN POINTS FOR KITEBOARDING"
(Question: Should the first three paragraphs be deleted?)
Safety, right, on about that again. Well guess what? The numbers are catching up with us with lots of serious injuries, incidents and some fatalities. We are now exceeding fatality rates in many other extreme sports with far more participants.
Riding practices have been careless on a widespread basis for a long time. Like careless flying, driving and even running, if you do it, you are stacking the deck against yourself. Sooner or later, the odds will collide with these careless practices and accidents and incidents will happen. So what, it is always some other guy anyway, right? Maybe, but it is your access that may be forfeit for the carelessness of others. So we are all in this together.
Some ideas that MAY help riders to have safer sessions, with a lower chance of accidents and incidents follow. This is being put here for consideration and discussion. If we continue on the path we are currently on our incredible sport will likely be in store for a punishing period. So, please think and talk about this.
TEN POINTS FOR KITEBOARDING
The following guidelines have been developed in part from the analysis of almost one hundred kiteboarding incidents and accidents. They are intended to present ideas on how to try to improve rider and bystander safety and to help to maintain kiteboarding access.
1. TAKE ADEQUATE PRO KITEBOARDING LESSONS FROM A GOOD SCHOOL and carefully build your experience in manageable conditions. Lessons cost but you will be shredding faster, easier and safer for your investment and could save your costly gear and even yourself from a bit of shredding.
2. CAREFULLY CHECKOUT THE WEATHER color radar, real time wind reports and forecasts before riding and constantly BE AWARE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS WHILE RIDING. Conditions should be free of storms or squalls, excessive gusty winds and be appropriate for your level of experience and equipment. If not, don't go riding. If storms or squalls move in while you are out riding, land, disable and thoroughly SECURE your kite well in advance of any change in wind or temperature. Offshore and onshore winds should be avoided. REMEMBER: TWICE THE WIND – FOUR TIMES THE POWER OR KITE AREA!
3. USE SAFETY GEAR including a good, appropriate helmet, impact vest, tested kite leash, reliable quick release chicken loop & fixed harness line, gloves and hook knife.
4. NEVER LAUNCH OR RIDE WITHIN 200 FT. UPWIND OF HARD OBJECTS like the shore, boats or rocks. In kiteboarding “distance is your friendâ€
(Question: Should the first three paragraphs be deleted?)
Safety, right, on about that again. Well guess what? The numbers are catching up with us with lots of serious injuries, incidents and some fatalities. We are now exceeding fatality rates in many other extreme sports with far more participants.
Riding practices have been careless on a widespread basis for a long time. Like careless flying, driving and even running, if you do it, you are stacking the deck against yourself. Sooner or later, the odds will collide with these careless practices and accidents and incidents will happen. So what, it is always some other guy anyway, right? Maybe, but it is your access that may be forfeit for the carelessness of others. So we are all in this together.
Some ideas that MAY help riders to have safer sessions, with a lower chance of accidents and incidents follow. This is being put here for consideration and discussion. If we continue on the path we are currently on our incredible sport will likely be in store for a punishing period. So, please think and talk about this.
TEN POINTS FOR KITEBOARDING
The following guidelines have been developed in part from the analysis of almost one hundred kiteboarding incidents and accidents. They are intended to present ideas on how to try to improve rider and bystander safety and to help to maintain kiteboarding access.
1. TAKE ADEQUATE PRO KITEBOARDING LESSONS FROM A GOOD SCHOOL and carefully build your experience in manageable conditions. Lessons cost but you will be shredding faster, easier and safer for your investment and could save your costly gear and even yourself from a bit of shredding.
2. CAREFULLY CHECKOUT THE WEATHER color radar, real time wind reports and forecasts before riding and constantly BE AWARE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS WHILE RIDING. Conditions should be free of storms or squalls, excessive gusty winds and be appropriate for your level of experience and equipment. If not, don't go riding. If storms or squalls move in while you are out riding, land, disable and thoroughly SECURE your kite well in advance of any change in wind or temperature. Offshore and onshore winds should be avoided. REMEMBER: TWICE THE WIND – FOUR TIMES THE POWER OR KITE AREA!
3. USE SAFETY GEAR including a good, appropriate helmet, impact vest, tested kite leash, reliable quick release chicken loop & fixed harness line, gloves and hook knife.
4. NEVER LAUNCH OR RIDE WITHIN 200 FT. UPWIND OF HARD OBJECTS like the shore, boats or rocks. In kiteboarding “distance is your friendâ€
-
Mr Jo Macdonald
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RickI
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Thanks Jo! I have worked up a shorter version that fits on one page if 8 pt. characters are used. If the intro paragraphs don't add anything that you think might be useful, replace or even delete them. They are only intended to build a case for the need to follow the guidelines.I would advise including the last intro paragraph that begins with "Please consider working "Ten Points for Kiteboarding" ..." at a minimum however.
TEN POINTS FOR SAFER KITEBOARDING
Kiteboarding is an incredible new extreme sport that is sweeping around the World. The thrills and shear joy of flashing over the water and flinging yourself, spinning into the sky at will can be addicting. A good session often enough leaves you hungering for MORE!
With all this power, as they said in the movie "Spiderman", comes great responsibility. True story. We were talking about throwing full grown adults high into the sky over the water for fun, correct? There is a lot of power there. That is responsibility to protect bystanders, access for all kiteboarders and yourself for your love ones. Kiteboarding is an incredible rush; severe pain and ridicule from your friends for causing an avoidable accident and potentially loosing access by careless actions are not. We can ride on the edge and visit the extreme but like flying an airplane or rock climbing there is a way and conditions to do it in and some to AVOID.
This year and particularly in the last month there have been a number of serious and in some cases fatal kiteboarding accidents. Some of these incidents may have been avoidable if additional care had been taken. Would you fly an airplane into a severe storm cloud? No, why then would you kiteboard near one? So grab all the adrenaline rush and sensation that kiteboarding can deliver just go at it with adequate care. If not, don't be surprised if something bad comes your way. It has already for some unfortunate riders.
Please consider working "Ten Points for Kiteboarding" and other good practices into your riding habits. They may help to keep both you and bystanders safer and help to maintain access for us all to enjoy this great sport. The following guidelines have been developed in part from the analysis of almost one hundred kiteboarding incidents and accidents. Even with these guidelines injury can still occur in kiteboarding, so be careful out there.
1. TAKE ADEQUATE PRO KITEBOARDING LESSONS FROM A GOOD SCHOOL and carefully build your experience in manageable conditions. Lessons cost but you will be shredding faster, easier and safer for your investment and could save your costly gear and even yourself from a bit of shredding.
2. CAREFULLY CHECKOUT THE WEATHER color radar, real time wind reports and forecasts before riding and constantly BE AWARE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS WHILE RIDING. Conditions should be free of storms or squalls, excessive gusty winds and be appropriate for your level of experience and equipment. If not, don't go riding. If storms or squalls move in while you are out riding, land, remove the lines and thoroughly SECURE your kite well in advance of any change in wind or temperature. Offshore and onshore winds should be avoided. REMEMBER: TWICE THE WIND – FOUR TIMES THE POWER OR KITE AREA! Storms have already injured a number of kiteboarders.
3. USE SAFETY GEAR including a good, appropriate helmet, impact vest, tested kite leash, reliable quick release chicken loop & fixed harness line, gloves and hook knife.
4. NEVER LAUNCH OR RIDE WITHIN 200 FT. OR 60 M UPWIND OF HARD OBJECTS like the shore, boats or rocks. In kiteboarding “distance is your friendâ€
TEN POINTS FOR SAFER KITEBOARDING
Kiteboarding is an incredible new extreme sport that is sweeping around the World. The thrills and shear joy of flashing over the water and flinging yourself, spinning into the sky at will can be addicting. A good session often enough leaves you hungering for MORE!
With all this power, as they said in the movie "Spiderman", comes great responsibility. True story. We were talking about throwing full grown adults high into the sky over the water for fun, correct? There is a lot of power there. That is responsibility to protect bystanders, access for all kiteboarders and yourself for your love ones. Kiteboarding is an incredible rush; severe pain and ridicule from your friends for causing an avoidable accident and potentially loosing access by careless actions are not. We can ride on the edge and visit the extreme but like flying an airplane or rock climbing there is a way and conditions to do it in and some to AVOID.
This year and particularly in the last month there have been a number of serious and in some cases fatal kiteboarding accidents. Some of these incidents may have been avoidable if additional care had been taken. Would you fly an airplane into a severe storm cloud? No, why then would you kiteboard near one? So grab all the adrenaline rush and sensation that kiteboarding can deliver just go at it with adequate care. If not, don't be surprised if something bad comes your way. It has already for some unfortunate riders.
Please consider working "Ten Points for Kiteboarding" and other good practices into your riding habits. They may help to keep both you and bystanders safer and help to maintain access for us all to enjoy this great sport. The following guidelines have been developed in part from the analysis of almost one hundred kiteboarding incidents and accidents. Even with these guidelines injury can still occur in kiteboarding, so be careful out there.
1. TAKE ADEQUATE PRO KITEBOARDING LESSONS FROM A GOOD SCHOOL and carefully build your experience in manageable conditions. Lessons cost but you will be shredding faster, easier and safer for your investment and could save your costly gear and even yourself from a bit of shredding.
2. CAREFULLY CHECKOUT THE WEATHER color radar, real time wind reports and forecasts before riding and constantly BE AWARE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS WHILE RIDING. Conditions should be free of storms or squalls, excessive gusty winds and be appropriate for your level of experience and equipment. If not, don't go riding. If storms or squalls move in while you are out riding, land, remove the lines and thoroughly SECURE your kite well in advance of any change in wind or temperature. Offshore and onshore winds should be avoided. REMEMBER: TWICE THE WIND – FOUR TIMES THE POWER OR KITE AREA! Storms have already injured a number of kiteboarders.
3. USE SAFETY GEAR including a good, appropriate helmet, impact vest, tested kite leash, reliable quick release chicken loop & fixed harness line, gloves and hook knife.
4. NEVER LAUNCH OR RIDE WITHIN 200 FT. OR 60 M UPWIND OF HARD OBJECTS like the shore, boats or rocks. In kiteboarding “distance is your friendâ€
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murdoc
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here's a checklist developped (and (c)opyrighted) by kitesurfing-kiel.de ...
i've translated it:
1. weather
-sunny weather / light cloudy sky (mostly constant winds) ---1
-cloudy sky / rainy conditions(gusty conditions)---2
-squalls or lighning(unpredictible wind)---19(yes, nineteen)
2. wind: kiting in strong winds isn't easy. even a small kite can develop great power.
in more than 5bft, the kiter should know exactly, what he's doing. kiting in more than 6-7bft is a risk even for experienced kitesurfers.
-soft winds (3-4bft)---1
-strong winds(5bft)---2
-very strong winds(6-7)---3
3. wind direction: rookies should keep away from onshore/offshore conditions. strong onshore winds are very dangerous.
-sideshore wind--- 1
-sideon --- 2
-onshore or offshore---3
4. water: even small waves make kitesurfing difficult for beginners
-flat water(hip-deep)--- 1
-choppy water---2
-breaking waves bigger than 1m---3
5. spot: especially for rookies the beach is
important.
-broad beach or meadow---1
-narrow beach or stony beach---2
-obstacles / persons near---3
6: misc:
-water/air temp sub 10°C---3
-crowded beach/water--- 3
-no one else kiting at this spot--- 3
-many kite/windsurfers surfing--- 3
-no or bad emergency landing spot downwind---3
-current or strong tide--- 3
please select only one point (exept for 6 misc:) and add them.
results:
1-6: ideal. rookies that passed a course and know the basics may kite here.
7-12: attention for rookies and intermediate kiters. conditions may be great for experienced kiters, don't be mislead by the fact that god kitesurfer seem to have fun, serious attention is recommended.
13-18:bad/dangerous conditions. avery kiter has to know 100% exactly what he's doing. a long experience in kiting is a must, also good knowledge about waves, weather, currents and wind. rookies shouldn't practise at the beach, even with small kites.
19+: don't even think about rigging a kite.
stay home and read a book.
(c) kitesurfing-kiel.de
(as far as i know, you may copy it, as long as you mention that you got it there)
i've translated it:
1. weather
-sunny weather / light cloudy sky (mostly constant winds) ---1
-cloudy sky / rainy conditions(gusty conditions)---2
-squalls or lighning(unpredictible wind)---19(yes, nineteen)
2. wind: kiting in strong winds isn't easy. even a small kite can develop great power.
in more than 5bft, the kiter should know exactly, what he's doing. kiting in more than 6-7bft is a risk even for experienced kitesurfers.
-soft winds (3-4bft)---1
-strong winds(5bft)---2
-very strong winds(6-7)---3
3. wind direction: rookies should keep away from onshore/offshore conditions. strong onshore winds are very dangerous.
-sideshore wind--- 1
-sideon --- 2
-onshore or offshore---3
4. water: even small waves make kitesurfing difficult for beginners
-flat water(hip-deep)--- 1
-choppy water---2
-breaking waves bigger than 1m---3
5. spot: especially for rookies the beach is
important.
-broad beach or meadow---1
-narrow beach or stony beach---2
-obstacles / persons near---3
6: misc:
-water/air temp sub 10°C---3
-crowded beach/water--- 3
-no one else kiting at this spot--- 3
-many kite/windsurfers surfing--- 3
-no or bad emergency landing spot downwind---3
-current or strong tide--- 3
please select only one point (exept for 6 misc:) and add them.
results:
1-6: ideal. rookies that passed a course and know the basics may kite here.
7-12: attention for rookies and intermediate kiters. conditions may be great for experienced kiters, don't be mislead by the fact that god kitesurfer seem to have fun, serious attention is recommended.
13-18:bad/dangerous conditions. avery kiter has to know 100% exactly what he's doing. a long experience in kiting is a must, also good knowledge about waves, weather, currents and wind. rookies shouldn't practise at the beach, even with small kites.
19+: don't even think about rigging a kite.
stay home and read a book.
(c) kitesurfing-kiel.de
(as far as i know, you may copy it, as long as you mention that you got it there)
As an expert on how not too present a subject
I offer this advice. Economy of speach=clairity of messesage. The subject is already of interest, any effort to introduce your subject risks the reader loosing interest.
If you take each idea, phase it, then refine it.Take the unnessesary words out. rephrase it and do it again. If you do this you will achive maximum message minimum fluff,this is how you wright truley powerful sentences. Place a few in a row and you are a power to be reconded with. THATS WHAT WE KITERS NEED someone who speaks to powerfully to be ignored.
it ain't easy,but you can do it!
fo
I offer this advice. Economy of speach=clairity of messesage. The subject is already of interest, any effort to introduce your subject risks the reader loosing interest.
If you take each idea, phase it, then refine it.Take the unnessesary words out. rephrase it and do it again. If you do this you will achive maximum message minimum fluff,this is how you wright truley powerful sentences. Place a few in a row and you are a power to be reconded with. THATS WHAT WE KITERS NEED someone who speaks to powerfully to be ignored.
it ain't easy,but you can do it!
fo