SurRff,
You are right, and so is Rick.
I can't tell you how many times I have seen this scenario (lofting or dragging) play out.
I am in Fl. We have a situation here where it can commonly go from 12 knots to 25 plus, sometimes 30 plus with thermal cooling and easterlies during a certain time a year (fall). The drastic wind speed change usually occurs within one minute, it's not gradual.
No "ominous" storm clouds are seen prior. Clouds are seen though, and for riders with experience, this pattern is semi-obvious . To someone without local experience, it can be a nightmare. In 12 knots, usually a big kite is rigged. So, this particular weather pattern has "blown away" unsuspecting kiters here literally dozens of times over the years. A few resulted in pretty serious injury, Rick remembers the power lines incident, I am sure.
What blows me away (well, hopefully it won't.. chuckle )is the more obvious storm cell activity of summer that we get here. This stuff isn't rocket science and doesn't require local knowledge to avoid.
Still, just 2 weeks ago I saw a lesson being given with a cell approaching. The cell contained gusts of 50 knots just prior to it coming through. If you live in FL, you see plenty of poor decisions regarding weather.
As much as I appreciate Rick's efforts, it doesn't seem to have much impact on riders around here.
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