An interested day unfolded at the Kitepower demo day when the 40 knot Southerly shift came through - check the graphs at 2pm.


Rob from Kitesurfing.com.au writes of the adventure:

"Short story is a big southerly with 41 knots hit (dead offshore at Kurnell) and blasted everyone toward the airport. Loads of rescues performed and Aya did a body drag to Brighton (5.8km) to keep from being blown onto the airport runway at Sydney Airport. Luckily everyone is OK and Aya was picked up at Brighton Le Sands an hour and a half later.

To put into context how far this is, a 747 is so small as to not even be visible on this map below. That was a LONG way.

Lessons:

1. Always be prepared for unexpected things to happen when you are kiting (a cellphone in a waterproof case under your wetsuit can come in really handy...)

2. Pulling your safety is not always the safest thing to do in every circumstance (Aya would have ended up on the airport runway if she had done so)

3. Get out of the water as quickly as possible if the wind changes abruptly.

4. Be prepared for long swims. It can happen. "