Another very sad event in Canada, second loss of life this year... 
Sincere sympathy to his family & friends.
http://www.ezrocknorthbay.com/2013/07/24/death-of-kite-surfer-confirmed-by-police/
That is sad news.
When I was just getting into kiting I watched all those kitemare youtube videos. A common theme seem to be gusty condition. Not sure if that is related to this particular accident but kinda makes you wonder.
yes sad, but may have been preventable as kiter was flying a very large kite in high and possibly gusty winds - which was his habit,
i.e. 14 m kite when 50lb heavier kiter was flying an 8m in the same conditions with rocks
quote from fellow kiter
Soon you will hear of the North Bay kiter who passed away after a serious kiting accident on Lake Nipissing. I have very mixed emotions. I feel bad for him and his family, and their loss. I feel bad for those who were on the scene and witnessed the gruesome details. I feel bad for the death and suffering of a fellow human being and "brother" kiter. BUT I AM SUPER PISSED at the negative attention this will attract.
"Krazee Frank" was known to be a safety hazard, to himself and others. We tried to get him to see the error in his ways, time and time again, but he just wouldn't listen. This time he was on his 14m, while a guy 50+lbs heavier was riding an 8m. And for my friend to be on an 8m we know it had to be super nuking.
I've said to my wife before that we're often overly critical of kiters who end up in bad situations (like those who needed rescue lately), that it could happen to any of us. But in this case i feel it was a series and "kitestyle" of bad choices that lead to this guy's death. Now I'm quite concerned of what will come of kiting in North Bay once our resident "kite hater" gets his hands on this..
make your own judgement
"According to Environment Canada, conditions were windy at the time with winds recorded at 28 km/h at the airport at 8pm Tuesday night, and were gusting to 44 km/h. An hour later winds were gusting to 51 km/h."
28km/h = 15.5kn
44km/h = 24.4kn
51km/h = irrelevant, after the event
We don't how far from the airport or his weight, but that's nice wind for a 14m. Must be a light weight.
Very sad to hear and condolences to his mates and family
Hmmm coastal and off shore winds are always stronger than inland reports unless the airport is right on the beach probably at least 30+ knots that day, I'm 87kgs and even I know that's just stupid for a 14m especially if your on kite with Hugh bottom end likes evo' or something . STUPID STUPID STUPID
Always sad to hear - even given the unfortunate background info on this one.
Sounds like a seriously poor choice of kite on the day BUT QR is ALWAYS an option.
We over stress it to our students & would do the same for every kiter out there.
PRACTICE your QR till it is as second nature as changing gears in your car.
The practice we recommend is - whenever your landing assistant is reliable - hit your QR just prior to the point your lines would become slack.
ie when your landing buddy has fully secured the kite but just before you would normally step towards him to release line tension.
Do this EVERY session so your QR action will not require that crucial 2nd moment of thought when things go wrong.
From experience & observation almost every kiter out never goes for their QR until the emergency happens.
Even a 1 second delay can be the difference bw a safe eject & a disaster.
This practice 1) gets your QR action onto auto pilot 2) makes your CL rebuild 2nd nature 3) serves as a regular check that QR is not jammed or damaged.
how about at least letting the poor bloke go cold before we all jump in and say what he should have done?
let his family deal with their loss before arguing about safety and comparing qr systems...
Select to expand quotestamp said..
how about at least letting the poor bloke go cold before we all jump in and say what he should have done?
let his family deal with their loss before arguing about safety and comparing qr systems...
Stamp, yes a very tragic event.
The purpose of the OP was not to raise a mud slinging match on QR's or what kite size for the conditions or whatever... it was to simply inform the Australian Kiting community of a very sad loss to the kiting community as a whole. This was an extremely sad event that occurred and I for one wish my sincerest condolences to the family, his friends and the whole of their community.
I think the respondents to this post aren't wishing to ditch on the late kiter, but share with care their knowledge.
True not blaming anyone or anything QR is all good under the right circumstances too but who's to say this guy was'nt zooming along 50klms/hr 30 feet up in the air, in that case QR ain't worth s__t. This is a sad reminder to us that if something can go wrong then it most likely will and taking risks always has a price.
I know myself I am impatient and in Canada when we get a good day on the lakes we try to take advantage of it. Usually you rig big! Initially the wind may have been lower. Unfortunately mother nature doesn't give us a steay 20 knots all day. As fronts move through, I suspect this guy became overpowered. I've been in that situation sometimes 20 mins after I get out. the psychology is this, I don't want to go into the beach now and miss my first day in 2 weeks. I'll just pull the trim tab to depower the kite. But I know when I get to that slippery edge as I can feel the power of the elements. Even the tiniest mistake , like riding a bull, that kite will make you pay! It has made me pay 3-4 times, broken ribs, bruised tailbone, bruised feet(rock hopping), whiplash, etc... It could have easily been me. Rest in peace brother.
