Severe Storm Lofting In Florida - Video

[RickI]

This is the first accident that I have heard about in Tropical Storm Fay and it is a real bad one. I hope the guy makes it, he was yarded into the beach, across the highway and into a building. No helmet, impact vest, no attempt to Emergency Depower and the weather was going off at the time.

For folks thinking of going out in TS Fay, perhaps soon to be Hurricane Fay or squalls in general, take a good long look at the potential consequences. This is just a few days after the squall fatality in Brazil.

More including video of the lofting HERE

Let's pull for this kiter, I think he will need as many good wishes he can get.

[greg meintjes]

Scary, saw some other kiters also get in some serious trouble on the news,the reporter was also commenting on how the authorities are getting fed up with these activities, let,s hope this does not lead to any more bans.I hope the injured kiter recovers ,but there is absolutely no excuses for why any of these guys were out there, one look at any radar or sattelite image would have been enough not to launch.

Greg

[RickI]

I hope your are right Greg in this blowing over with regard to that launch. The problem is that people think they can handle squall conditions. Enough of the time they can't. Again, I hope this guy pulls through and recovers fully. Two severe storm loftings in three days? I know guys are lining up to have a go tomorrow too.

STAY OUT OF THE DAMNED SQUALLS!

[paul m]

As a Florida resident all i can say is this doesnt need to happen. Talked to someone there, hope this guy is ok. Bad call.....

if you notice he never let go of bar or tried to release after the lofting....sucks....

Hate seeing this stuff, and was a bad call to wait that long for the squall to come in, they move at such great speeds with wind and presure before it , that there is no time, especially side on condtions.......i hope he is ok

[islandstylen]

that video is some heavy shit.
hope he pulls through after that. dangerous shit in those storm fueled squalls.
good luck mate.

[Windrider]

What kite size was he flying in what average wind? That looked like a 45 mph+ gust....

[mastree]

I was there today... still shaken up from the incident. I hope "K" will be OK. He is still in the hospital and we are waiting for an update on his condition.

Before the squall line moved in, there was one other kiter out with him and they were attempting to get back on the beach and land their kites. The other guy (no names mentioned) kept his kite low until someone was able to land it. "K's" kite was higher and as a result he was lofted. There were several of us standing there watching the whole thing unfold. Wishing that we could have reached him before he lifted off the second time. But It happened so fast! I will now be practicing with my eject knob on a regular basis. Ejecting the kite (or engaging the safety) needs to second nature and able to be done with your eyes closed. I still can't believe how quickly it happened. Reaction time needs to be immediate!

Good luck "K", we are all pulling for your speedy recovery.

[Experimental player]

Wouldnt you keep your kite low and use your 5th line in this situation?

Dont tell me he was a dumbow!
and didnt have a 5th line rigged for self landing in powerful winds.

[Windrider]

The minute you feel that you are being pulled beyond your ability to stop, drop the bar and pull the QR. If you find that you're feet are skidding along, drop the bar and pull the QR.

Don't even try to land your kite in that kind of wind. Drop the bar and pull the QR.

Sure hope I remember all of this if the time comes...

But, most important of all, don't go out in those conditions.

You mean, the guy might have survived? Sure hope so. Don't see how he could.

[K3rM1t]

I'm already getting comments from friends of "that must be a C kite or he'd be ok, right?"

I've watched the video over and over and it doesn't matter what kind of kite he's on, he never moves his hands from the bar. C kite, bow kite, hybrid, 5th line, whatever, doesn't matter. All will do the same thing if you don't let go and pull your safety.

(Unless the kite rips in half... maybe we should design kites to fail at a certain power spike. Like velco in the canopy that rips with too much power! ha! Applying for patent now...)

Jokes aside, I hope this guy recovers and can kite another day!