Select to expand quoteSafety Notice: Let's learn from our mistakes!
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Click here for full report... www.vicpolicenews.com.au/news/1028-kite-surfer-rescued-in-brighton.html
OK... so I think we can all agree that this is totally unnecessary and horrible for the Kiteboarding world and all the kiters that would like to be able to continue doing what they love doing in their spare time.
SO... what's the solution?
Firstly... this is what lesson are for!
If you were thinking you'll just get a mate to teach you, or that you'll just pick it up as you go... remember this article, AND LEARN FROM IT!!!
Self rescue, understanding as well as practice is an important part of kiteboarding. Not only knowing HOW to do it confidently, but also WHEN to do it can mean that no matter what situation you are in, you can generally get out of it.
In the situation this 41 year old man in Brighton found himself in there are 2 options for him...
1. If the wind is at an angle between cross shore and onshore then a normal self-rescue will do the job. This means using the safety to get to your kite, and then keeping the kite inflated and using the 'land' side of the kite like a sail to bring you back to shore.
2. If the wind swings cross-off or offshore then you may need to do a self-rescue with full packdown so that you can paddle your kite back against the wind with minimal size so you don't get pushed back out to sea. Remember once you do this you will be much harder to see.
Either way, you must make sure your struts are always closed off when you are going out to kite just in case.
Letting the kite go should never occur unless you are being dragged dangerously with power and can not gain control. Remember... if you do let the kite go then make sure you call 000 or marine rescue to report that you are ok, but your kite is loose on the bay (with rough co-ordinates). This way they will not have to begin a search and rescue operation, just recover the kite.
If you are unsure on any of these procedures, or you are looking for lessons, make sure you contact KITE REPUBLICon (03) 9537 0644 or email info@kiterepublic.com.au
To see more 'Safety Learning Experiences' please click the link below...
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www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151445856565957.1073741838.81220095956&type=3
I guess you should have read this thread before making a load of half witted assumptions.....www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Police-rescue-kite-surfer-off-Brighton-Beach-VIC/
I don't understand the red thumbs, ok he pointed out that a few incorrect stuff about James incident. But fck sake the man is only trying to help prevent further incidents.
Select to expand quotesuniboy21 said..
I don't understand the red thumbs, ok he pointed out that a few incorrect stuff about James incident. But fck sake the man is only trying to help prevent further incidents.
It looks more like a plug for his own business. Twice. Especially since there are two other threads on it.
Select to expand quotePlummet said..
Yes using a accident to promote his own business.
C'mon - it's not like anyone died or was seriously injured from this incident. And the clinics Chris is promoting are FREE, so it's not like he is profiting from someone's misfortune.
oi. don't get all upset about promoting a business. We should be more worried about our sport getting banned from locations and kites in trees/powerlines.
Either way, don't be affraid to call 000 that's what the service is for. You won't get a fine or a bill unless the air ambulance hauls you in and takes you to hospital. Either way, just tell them your name is Tony Abott then.
If thing's go wrong the service men and women are there and always happy to help. Its what they train for and look forward to.
If your new to the sport, been taught by a mate, or just a but dusty, get on down for a free lesson and get your saftey 100%. Then have a plan B and C when things go wrong.
I cross the bay lots by myself. Have a mobile in a bag, light, flare, Epirb etc in my PFD and accept the risk in things go wrong. No need to be a cowboy but take the adventure when its there. If you ever want to join me look me up.
Big thanks to Chris for all his hardwork and effort.
*have no financial interest in the sport.
Good work Chris,
And your right, after about 5 years of kiting I never had to do a self rescue. One night sitting there on YouTube and found myself watching a self rescue video, sure enough that week had a line snap on me about 500m offshore at Brighton. And I was back in shore in no time, felt like 5 mins but was probably 30!
It felt like instinct, it was clear in my head what to do with my lines & used my kite as a sail.
If you've never had to do it go & have a lesson or watch some of the videos online.
In my opinion you are not an independent kiter until you can perform a self rescue. It has to be automatic. You often only have a few seconds to deal with the situation and then react. If you haven't had any misfortunes then you should practice so it is automatic. We had a situation in the bay this year during a big southerly swell and great wind. There were four of us out when the wind shifted and dropped off to a light offshore. Three of us did full packdowns, I was about 1 nautical mile out on a big tack when it happened. I was back on the beach in 50 minutes. One guy freaked out and had to be rescued. Could of avoided the chopper and boat had he reacted immediately. He was only 200 meters out when his kite fell out of the sky and started drifting out to sea. Big lesson for him.
Again, this has been mentioned, but I will reiterate it one more time. NEVER go out further than you are prepared to swim. Period.
