Getting yanked upwards way more than sideways 4 examples I know of/witnessed - all involved the turbulent wind in front of high objects such as sand dunes /cliffs - we don't really have many beaches where riders kite near buildings that could cause this turbulence. (from the database many other countries seem to though).
1. nzs own eric event - close to dune - dragged up it then travelled over tree (60ft high+) car park, road and then into golf course flew down to safety stayed in control.
2.Launched near sand dune, was on older kite - updraghts dragged up up in air reall fast - decided to eject 20-30ft up ats felt liek was about to get lifted up over dune into trees 1-200 foot away. very soft sand saved their ass injuries not too bad
3. Launching close to a cliff face got yanked upwards and dislocated shoulder on impact /way down.
4.got dragged out of water then back in control a bit, then while on beach kite hindenberged for a second, then lit up sideways lifting them in air - throwing them 40ft, then tried to gain control and over compensated and flew with a kiteloop another 30 -40 ft at least through fence, into park onto head - spilt head open, ankle like a balloon - off to hospital. This was due to being right next to cliff face and also was quite unstable wind also - being not so far from cliff was reason I think it happened - reason for hindenberg then sudden gust powering up kite sideways very hard.
The meridian hotel where PRKA takes place in New Caledonia is a classic example - you hook a jump near it and you know all about extra uplift of wind/ the effects of turbulence.
The last example was a classic example of why I don't think you can assume someone can release easily at point between consecutive draggings/throwing even with a second or 2 and a good quick release, but I agree that during lessons you need to teach good reaction to a releasing the kite at any time, not just show student how QR works without kite in air. I always taught this. I tell them I will randomly ask them to release - only had one student release without hesitation - many are super hesitant, they do it until they got it down. Kiteschools generally don't do this because they worry about their bottom $ - ie kite damage kite when releasing (i asked a few) - have never damaged kite teaching this myself.