Is it time for helmets?

With the tragic death of Julian on Sunday and now the man at Altona "im sorry i dont now his name" should helmets be on every ones heads?

If we all wear a helmet than most if not all learners would have one on. I'd like to point out that I don't have a helmet at the moment ether but perhaps it's time I did.

I don't see myself as a practically good kitesufer "12 mths on the water, now jumping and only sometimes landing" but I do see myself as a lucky kitesurfer with no helmet I only received a black eye and some saw ribs. I don't see myself as to different from the resent injured man “sorry again I wish i new his name"

I was once on site a lot and had a hard hat on all day. I also had ear muffs that had a cb and the radio for music in it. It would be cool if we could combine the two and talk to each other while on the water or listen to music. Helmets are no fashion statement but there not all bad either.

One of my local kiters also suggested safety briefings held on the beech by kiters every month so anyone can come along and have a chat. There is only 12 a year so it wouldn't be hard to find some volunteers to hold them. This would be a good initiative for the AKSA and the kite manufactures could supply some training kites etc. If they each supported 2 or 3 a year than they could share the load.

What do you think, am I an idealistic dreamer and showing just how much the resent incidences have shaken me up? Or do some of you agree.

I think it's down to personal choice. I started wearing one a few months back, mainly because I kite in the broadwater, where there is a lot of boat and jet ski traffic, and it can often get quite crowded, with dozens of kiteboarders and pole dancers about. I was really motivated to do something when a champion windsurfer was taken out by a hoon on a jet ski several months ago, suffering serious head injuries as a result. The importance of a helmet was driven home to me again a few months later when a kiter just metres away from me was caught in a gust while trying to launch and ended up hitting the only bit of concrete on the otherwise sandy, and grassy, launching area. He wasn't wearing a helmet and ended up spending a couple of weeks in an induced coma.

It's not just about the risks that we take, as individuals; it's about the hazards around us (jet skis and such) and the freakish things that can happen at the worst possible times (gusts). I don't want to see helmets become mandatory, but I do think that they are a good idea, particularly if you kite at a crowded spot or a spot with very little margin for error. Just my two cents...

I fear that the councils will start to step in and regulat for us though. I agree that helmets on new people is a great idear. Sadly i think it would of saved lives this week alone!

I find the kite shops dont push them when selling gear "up in QLD any way".

Do you think safty breffings on the beach is a good idear. I would have gone to one or two when i was beginning. Its a good spot to hand out info for instructors as well.

Most water sports helmets I've seen (Gath etc), seem pretty flimsy. Whilst I think they'd be good for protecting against cuts from a light hit to reef or your board, I struggle to imagine they'd be much use they'd be, against the force a kite can slam your head in to a solid object.

I don't see how making beginners wear helmets has much to do with fatality statistics. From what I've seen internationally, most of the kiters who get seriously injured or killed are NOT beginners, but more experienced riders....?

Surely it's the more "experienced", riders who expose themselves to more risk? One trick gone wrong far more likey to result in board causing head trauma and/ or drowning. Also, the more experienced kiter is more likely to venture out in possibly volatile conditions/ frontals resulting in loftings.

I always wear a helmet when I'm cycling, and over the years I've had a few occasions to be very glad I did.

I've never worn a helmet kiting and have never hit my head on anything. If I'm kiting in deep enough water, and not hitting my board or bar, then it's just water.

Even in shallow water, a helmet can protect your cranium from impact with the bottom (although sand will spread the load a bit), but does stuff-all to protect you from spinal injury if you land head first.

As for objects on land, know your safety, and connect your leash to the front or the side of your harness. It's ridiculous how many people who will never pass the bar still connect their leashes to the back of their harness.

I met a guy on the beach that had his in the left line "steering" on the loop where it slides though the bar end.

I told him to put it on the depower line. His CL had a point for it!!

Correct me if im incorect but that would have been a little ugly if he droped his bar no? I would think kite loop central?

Attaching leash to an outer line = deathloops if you accidently unhook or release Chickenloop. Unless its an oh Sh!t handle where the line can run free and flag the kite out.

When I bought my kit in 2010, I thought the misses would be happy if I had a helmet . So got a gath surf helmet...........its yet to get wet!!!
Starting out I seen very few people, if anybody wearing a helmet, so I never ended up bothering.
Thought ok, maybe when I start learning to boost I might wear it.........never happened then either. Fortunately to date (touch wood) I have not had any incidents where I wish I was wearing it. Ive kept it for the "just in case scenario" when the location and conditions may require it.
Personally not worried about the "cool factor" of wearing one or not........I always wear a bucket hat for sun protection

I hate wearing anything - meaning sun screen, hats, glasses, impact vest etc etc
Point is some things are just plain necessary common sense.
I dont believe a helmet for kiting is one of them. No helmet certainly = risk of serious head cuts etc from boards or fins but IMO a helmet for kiting is not going to save many lives - if any.
Fatalities in kiting that I have seen have been major impact events where a helmet would have done diddly squat.
If I thought a helmet would be likely to save my life one day I would probably use one, & recommend them, but I just dont think the risk is there.
Helmets, along with life vests, it will probably become the law though - conservatism usually wins out.

I dont think wake boarders/skiers have to wear helmets? Or do they? I know they are compelled to wear life vests which imo is completely senseless as they have a pick-up rescue crew right there with them all the time.

Now if ur talking sliders then thats another issue. Helmets then are very much 'necessary common sense' - imo.

life vests are required by law if you operate a sailboard outside 400m from shore.
Inside 400m no life vest is required. Sailboard up to now is understood as a windsurfer but if push comes to show in court it also could be argued that a kiteboard is a "sailboard". Legislation has not picked up on that ...

Another paragraph might be of interest regarding rotto. any vessel (and our kiteboards are also considered vessels) below 3.75m is not allowed past 5 nautical miles from shore or 1 nautical mile from any island. this leaves a gap of about 5 nautical miles for the rotto crossing for which a special permission is required.

It is likely that when the law makers get to kite surfing maybe in 20 years time that they start looking at helmets.. so far it is up to the individual. I wear a helmet when I practise new things or when I go really hard for speed. I have just ordered a Radz helmet to try it out because so far I have not found a helmet which fits me properly and is comfortable.

regards
gmd

Anyone want to buy a Gath Helmet used about 5 times? Price - 6 Pure Blonde Premium to be delivered at Pinnaroo Point.

I agree with helmets but I don't believe it should be mandatory. I've always worn a helmet (agreement with my wife) but it still should be personal choice.

What I don't agree with is when people are considered kooks for wearing helmets and beginners don't want to wear helmets because they think it's uncool. They should be advocated and highly recommended for anyone getting into the sport after which you have the choice to wear it when you are in an informed position to make the decision.