Rick, this happened to me yesterday.
I will write a full report as I find time. I just came back from switzerland.
I used the Psycho 9.5 in 12-20 knots and was going downhill (lots of apparent wind) and pulled on the bar. This was the first time, I experienced the full lift potential of that kite.
I was immediately 10m high (33ft), I don't know how it happened. It was so fast. I looked down and was scared like hell and was sure this is going to end in hospital. I managed to land safely, though after an endless hangtime.
The scariest moment in my kiting life so far!
My girl-friend said that she was thinking if she should pick me up and was just before calling a helicopter for rescue!
Be carefull out there!
Robin
Loooong hangtime..!
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Yow Robin,
That was some experience. I keep looking for a large field full of powder and no fences to checkout kite snowboarding in. You were riding near Chur, CH?
I hadn't thought about going down steeper grades with a kite. What would you guess the slope and your speed of descent to have been? Once you were aloft how well were you able to control your direction of flight, climb, etc.
Glad you came through and welcome back from Switzerland! Thanks for the support Fo, we need all the ideas that we can come by in this new sport and some of the even newer applications.
Rick Iossi
That was some experience. I keep looking for a large field full of powder and no fences to checkout kite snowboarding in. You were riding near Chur, CH?
I hadn't thought about going down steeper grades with a kite. What would you guess the slope and your speed of descent to have been? Once you were aloft how well were you able to control your direction of flight, climb, etc.
Glad you came through and welcome back from Switzerland! Thanks for the support Fo, we need all the ideas that we can come by in this new sport and some of the even newer applications.
Rick Iossi
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That's the place:
http://www.kite-surf.com/specials/snowkiting/index.php
I'll let you know the details. Man, it was so close. It was probably the highest jump ever from me. 10m is guessed from my eye-witness. It looked higher from my point of view for sure...
http://www.kite-surf.com/specials/snowkiting/index.php
I'll let you know the details. Man, it was so close. It was probably the highest jump ever from me. 10m is guessed from my eye-witness. It looked higher from my point of view for sure...
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DankeOn 2003-01-21 20:30, Anonymous wrote:
...
This is not a slam, we juste wonder how you know so much about every aspect of kiteing and saftey. You seem very knowlegeable...
Danke.
You must be new to this forum. Rick Iossi is Mr. Safety in this sport. He has compilied a large database of kitesurfing mishaps for us, and he is a the forefront of discussions about injury prevention. We all owe Rick for his continuing efforts on our behalf.
Chris G
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I must say - I think it is very stupid too !
We got paragliders and hanggliders, designed for this, and much better performing, and much safer and stronger in all aspects.
27 seconds is nothing, compared to these (world record "hang time" is over 24 hours...) - so why do it ?
I have no problems that some does these things, we can all choose to take these chances if we want to - but it is a problem if it encourages others to do it too !!!
It seems just like being a ghostrider on the freeway - the risk and purpose must be about the same...
We got paragliders and hanggliders, designed for this, and much better performing, and much safer and stronger in all aspects.
27 seconds is nothing, compared to these (world record "hang time" is over 24 hours...) - so why do it ?
I have no problems that some does these things, we can all choose to take these chances if we want to - but it is a problem if it encourages others to do it too !!!
It seems just like being a ghostrider on the freeway - the risk and purpose must be about the same...
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robertovillate
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Dux,
With all due respect...
Kitesurfing kites are for kitesurfing. As Peter Frank explained there are other types of specially designed equipment to perform these kinds of stunts.
Yes, I agree that kitesurfing kites should be designed and built to withstand the forces normally experienced in the sport. The definition of "normal" may still be under research, but I think that most people who try something that was not intended with the particular equipment become victims of their own bravado/risk-taking behaviour/maybe a little ignorance.
The scary things is that one guy might land it OK because he got lucky...his best friend may try it next and die.
This type of act would definitely qualify for a Darwin Award.
With all due respect...
Kitesurfing kites are for kitesurfing. As Peter Frank explained there are other types of specially designed equipment to perform these kinds of stunts.
Yes, I agree that kitesurfing kites should be designed and built to withstand the forces normally experienced in the sport. The definition of "normal" may still be under research, but I think that most people who try something that was not intended with the particular equipment become victims of their own bravado/risk-taking behaviour/maybe a little ignorance.
The scary things is that one guy might land it OK because he got lucky...his best friend may try it next and die.
This type of act would definitely qualify for a Darwin Award.
it is easy to see the thrill aspect of this stunt, kiteskiing is relatively new and still reliant on kitesurfing equipment.
Given time I thinkit is entirely possible that snow kiting will evovle into it's own specialist area where kites will be built to the same spec as paragliders. This will give you the ability to kite uphill to then to launch and paraglide from one slope to the next where again you can gain altitude edging against the kite and lauch once more. Infact a new cross country sport could develope.
As with any new sport those who pioneer it will face huge risk as they are the guniea pigs and test pilots.
Sean
Given time I thinkit is entirely possible that snow kiting will evovle into it's own specialist area where kites will be built to the same spec as paragliders. This will give you the ability to kite uphill to then to launch and paraglide from one slope to the next where again you can gain altitude edging against the kite and lauch once more. Infact a new cross country sport could develope.
As with any new sport those who pioneer it will face huge risk as they are the guniea pigs and test pilots.
Sean