The potential danger of kite surfing is clear. However I see a lot of people arguing that the chance of getting hit by a car is much bigger. While this is of course true when looking at the total numbers, I have never seen accurate statistics on the number of kite surfers in Australia. It would be interesting to see how many accidents happen when adjusting for exposure or number of kite surfers, extrapolate this and compare it with eg car accidents or other watersports. Anyone has an idea how to get an estimation on the number of active kitesurfers?
Here's a stat for you, more Aussies were seriously injured or killed in New Years celebrations than kiting or on the frontline in afghanistan
Exactly my point. A lot of people stamp it as an extreme and very dangerous sport, but I think the rate in eg motorcycling is much higher.
It needs to be labelled as extreme and dangerous to stop these middle aged men buying kites as their mid-life crisis solution!!
Its getting out of hand 
Kiting is DANGEROUS! You are hooked into a very big kite that has the very real potential to cause injury and unfortunately death at an instant, without warning (snapped lines, gusts etc etc). 
Select to expand quoteHaydn24 said..
It needs to be labelled as extreme and dangerous to stop these middle aged men buying kites as their mid-life crisis solution!!
Seriously?!!!!
Select to expand quoteLorgra said..Haydn24 said..
It needs to be labelled as extreme and dangerous to stop these middle aged men buying kites as their mid-life crisis solution!!
Seriously?!!!!
What?!!!! Are you one of these people?!!!!
Edit: Oh yup, 42 yrs old 
Select to expand quotetightlines said..
42??????..he's just a kid 
I feel like one most of the time! ;)
That's why I love kiting!
None of us grow up completely.
Hayden24, the years I spent crewing on yachts and doing ocean racing while in high school, when you were an itch in your daddy's crotch, gives me great appreciation of what the ocean and wind can do.
Happy kiting!
End of troll!!!!
Select to expand quoteLorgra said...tightlines said..
42??????..he's just a kid
I feel like one most of the time! ;)
That's why I love kiting!
None of us grow up completely.
Hayden24, the years I spent crewing on yachts and doing ocean racing while in high school, when you were an itch in your daddy's crotch, gives me great appreciation of what the ocean and wind can do.
Happy kiting!
End of troll!!!!
Haydn24*
Looks like you could have spent longer in high school
so, worldwide about 12.6 per year die - about 1 a month ! ... pretty heavy stat imo if true
source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitesurfing (see Statistics lower down)
Statistics[edit]
Accidents can generate serious injuries or even be deadly. 105 accidents were reported in the Kiteboarding Safety Information Database between 2000 and September 2003, with 14 fatalities.[43] In South Africa between October 2003 and April 2004, 83% of search & rescue missions involving kitesurf were in offshore winds with the kite still attached to the harness, uncontrolled in strong winds or impossible to relaunch in weak winds. On 30 missions, there was no fatalities but five injuries : two had bone fractures after being hit by their boards, two others were suffering from critical hypothermia and exhaustion and the fifth was exhausted and lacerated.[44]
Advances in hybrid and bow kite designs leads to a better ability to control the power that they provide and effective safety release systems. [45] In USA around 2003, the fatality rate with 6 to 12 for 100'000 participants was higher than 4 to 5 in SCUBA diving (and much higher than the two Walkers), comparable to the 15 in Motor Vehicle Traffic, and much lower than all accidents with 56 or the 88 Paragliders.[46] Accidents are still happening; as of November 2012, 126 kite surfers have been killed in the last 10 years
those figures got me wondering how many kiters out there to match the death stats with ... seems like nobody really knows on actual kiter numbers ... 250,000 to 1.5mill (s'pose the major kite manufacturers would have a good idea tho)
here's some 'talk' about it ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Kitesurfing (scroll way down to Numbers)
I put these stats together for the USA in 2006:
"Estimated Fatality Rates In USA?
Activity - (Losses per 100,000) - Source
Paragliding - 88 - 1) www.ushpa.org/USHPA/signin.aspx?LoginRedirect=true& AccidentSummary.pdf
Unintentional injury deaths from all causes - 56 - 2) WISQARS www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars (2003)
Motor Vehicle Traffic injuries - 15 - 2) WISQARS www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars (2003)
Kitesurfing - 6 to 12 - 3) fksa.org/ (2005)**
SCUBA diving - 5 - 4) www.diversalertnetwork.org/me...port/index.asp (2003)
Pedestrian - 2 - 2) WISQARS www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars (2003)
** The range was derived from the estimated number of kiteboarders in the USA."
More at fksa.org/showthread.php?t=4125
Select to expand quoteHaydn24 said..Lorgra said...tightlines said..
42??????..he's just a kid
I feel like one most of the time! ;)
That's why I love kiting!
None of us grow up completely.
Hayden24, the years I spent crewing on yachts and doing ocean racing while in high school, when you were an itch in your daddy's crotch, gives me great appreciation of what the ocean and wind can do.
Happy kiting!
End of troll!!!!
Haydn24*
Looks like you could have spent longer in high school
Oh Dear 
.....
A link for thee: www.seabreeze.com.au/Members/Help/ForumRules.aspx
Please pay particular attention to the words ageism and sarcasm
Select to expand quoteHaydn24 said..
Kiting is DANGEROUS! You are hooked into a very big kite that has the very real potential to cause injury and unfortunately death at an instant, without warning (snapped lines, gusts etc etc).
Unhooking is the only solution I heard 
Select to expand quoteGilly3 said...Haydn24 said..Lorgra said...tightlines said..
42??????..he's just a kid
I feel like one most of the time! ;)
That's why I love kiting!
None of us grow up completely.
Hayden24, the years I spent crewing on yachts and doing ocean racing while in high school, when you were an itch in your daddy's crotch, gives me great appreciation of what the ocean and wind can do.
Happy kiting!
End of troll!!!!
Haydn24*
Looks like you could have spent longer in high school
Oh Dear .....
A link for thee: www.seabreeze.com.au/Members/Help/ForumRules.aspx
Please pay particular attention to the words ageism and sarcasm
I wasn't being sarcastic...
Lol
not all kite injuries are recorded!
like scalp lacerations from me tearing my hair out waiting for wind to pick up a another couple of knots and sore throat's from yelling " hey stop riding your twin tip in the surf, your embarrassing yourself "
I done a hammy but had to tell work i slipped over in the shower 
then i finished the sentence with " what do you expect there were 4 of us in there " just so no questions got asked 
Select to expand quotebuzingfridge said...
Do a similar search and 40 to 50 people die each year surfing.
Gee, those big scary sharks are really getting around 
lol
Select to expand quoteHaydn24 said..
It needs to be labelled as extreme and dangerous to stop these middle aged men buying kites as their mid-life crisis solution!!
Its getting out of hand
Kiting is DANGEROUS! You are hooked into a very big kite that has the very real potential to cause injury and unfortunately death at an instant, without warning (snapped lines, gusts etc etc).
If they keep up the calcium and yoghurt then this fights oesteoporosis... Therefore enabling them to kite on a regular basis
Gone are the days of convertible red sports cars.. Now it's North Rebels and Ozone Reo's with a new policy for APIA..
Some have even tried having a kiteshop.. However this hasn't turned out too well for some
I initiated this
If you don't like that kind of thing (accident reports), dont read it..
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Y5qP4Rf7pyg9HTveNHDBgQ2Mhvof4nZfoUh0M1-nAmM/edit
, partly because I have seen riders taking safety of themselves and others around them less seriously in recent times due to what I think is 5hit marketing of how totally safe kiteboarding is today, and simply because old school safety standards have been fading away - and this should not be happening because it effects kiteboarding in so many negative ways (too big to hide under a rock now) - we are pilot controlling a flying capable wing. Easily demonstrated by fact that well over 50% of all accidents involved land - with a water based sport. I am for sure not saying I am any safety guru and kind of dont like hearing people bang on about safety over and over again but thought this could help educate.
many contributed since also, it is far from perfect and will contain errors (can be corrected by comment with simple cell click...) but anyone can contribute to it, copy it, whatever and aim is for it to constantly improve - just click a cell add a comment, edit, opinion, fact whatever..
It doesnt exactly motivate stoke so if you dont like that kind of thing (accident reports), dont read it.. but flipside is there are some valuable lessons in there to be learnt from it, can be used for kite manuals, training literature, see if a piece of equipment shows a pattern maybe - more..whatever - open source.= in long term.
It is simply what info is out there already on net brought together - everything sourced with link except a lot of the possible resolutions which are the opinion of myself that may or maynot count for anything. I dont really have an opinion of how safe kiteboarding is (i wouldnt describe it as simply safe though)- only good stats can do that by comparing to other activities - maybe this can do that at some stage, in the mean time I hope it can save a life with a lesson learnt - many kiters are for sure keen on this sometimes there are 20+ pages of opinions relating to one accident on forums...
^ ^ ^
Sorry @ iandvnt, are you @longwhitecloud on kite forum?
I have no problem with safety, it's what keeps people involved in a sport and their loved ones blissfully unaware of the accepted risks by the participants.
Injuries happen, S**t happens, after being involved in the risk assessment industry including sports for over 20 years, if I can see this has risks and most people say that there is a risk to use the wind to fly (or be relatively well propelled). Get a massive grip and do something else IF, it doesn't sit well with YOU. I'll accept the risk and attempt to mitigate risk through preparation and compliance with ALL appropriate rules and norms.
Injuries are inevitable, preparation before participation is vital as is cool down / stretch after extreme physical exertion as dictated by YOUR body not someone else's.
Remember this: "It is your choice and privilege to participate, please take responsibility for your actions and the results that may occur".
yup is me
i am a very strong advocate of personal responsibility, it is really what I want to promote. The companies /organizations/associations that promote kiteboarding as "oh so safe" today I think are being immoral in miseducating new kiters but I think the onus is still on the riders to find out about what they are doing/what to do. I hope this ends up helping riders educate themselves in addition to what they may already know. Fortunately 3rd party accidents are rare in kiteboarding (ones that cause injury due to actions of another kiter), but having been taken out twice by riders simply not keeping their distance/looking where they were going I think things will get worse if more respect is not shown. I am not the guru tho i got tacked into recently mid flight recently from someone not looking where they were going and had to loop/transition back to avoid teh rider and nearly took someone else out as a huge gust hit during loop - i should have anticipated it all....... bigger buffer zone.
@ iandvnt, please feel free to PM me and let's keep this OFFLINE, happily discuss this OFFLINE with anyone with or without extensive water and other sport risk and environmental management approaches.
Being a former Polley from the 70's, 80's, 90's etc.. no need for the C**k fight. Let's talk it through and find a way to improve a developing sport and protect ALL, rather than Piss on everyones foot 
My thoughts for what it's worth I'd look to industry leaders in Australia that I've had personal exposure too such as Alliance Gear and Kite Power in Sydney, Kite & Sup in Newcastle and Intheloop in Queensland (not all, just the ones I've had the privilege to deal with). What was common from all of these firms was a dedication to safety, instruction, inclusion, engagement and enjoyment,
From Teaching 101: THINK, if the people who sell gear are safety focused, their teaching is directed towards safety and incidents may occur but should be limited. Stop blame in the sport and consider the environment for the participants.
Wasn't that long ago that the rail sitters in the yachting fraternity saw sailboarding as a "flash in the pan thing", which is now mainstream. Foils on Moths and Nacra Cats (oops... IOC Nacra 17's) Man, honestly if you have any interest in the sport LOOK for ways to INCLUDE rather than ways and means to EXCLUDE!
If by the way you were responsible for the premature Olympic failure or Kite Board Racing personally, or in part "HOLD YOUR HEAD IN SHAME, LIFE GOES ON, ADAPT AND LIVE".
For me, look at the Star class for the Olympics in Brazil 2016, Brasils' golden child and world legend is back in Lasers, "WHO IS THAT FAVOURING "
Select to expand quoteNoBS said..Haydn24 said..
It needs to be labelled as extreme and dangerous to stop these middle aged men buying kites as their mid-life crisis solution!!
Its getting out of hand
Kiting is DANGEROUS! You are hooked into a very big kite that has the very real potential to cause injury and unfortunately death at an instant, without warning (snapped lines, gusts etc etc).
If they keep up the calcium and yoghurt then this fights oesteoporosis... Therefore enabling them to kite on a regular basis
Gone are the days of convertible red sports cars.. Now it's North Rebels and Ozone Reo's with a new policy for APIA..
Some have even tried having a kiteshop.. However this hasn't turned out too well for some
NoBs
Offline is kinda oldschool in the days of web2, facebook, google and forums?! Forums are for open discussion - differing opinions- what this is right here.
Someone described kiteboarding as the new urban 4wd on the radio lol I would estimate the average age of kiteboarders has gone up over time - but cant prove it!
Save a life
non industry (ie not paid or affiliated with any commercial part of the industry) - open source for riders that want to read it and contribute. Many riders have contributed to it, very many unique ip addresses have chosen to read it.
Hopefully less WTF are they doing! moments at the beach
Improve kite manuals
Stop people quoting "freak accident to the press", instead use it as an opportunity to educate.
Improve training literature by targeting areas using stats and by targeting any new arising issues quickly.
Target issues with equipment design and manufacture.
Be a source of education for those considering the no/few lessons path (bad of course but it happens)
Help kiters make better decisions from education.
This info is currently being used in a study in Israel of ways to improve kite safety.
Educate parents of minors wanting to get into kiting (The answer to the question posed in this thread is a very important first stage for parents looking into it - especially those with no experience on anything related to a sport like kiting- everyone has an opinion - no one has an answer relevant to 2014)
Help keep the public image of kiteboarding positive by being proactive.
Keep kiters responsible - like i said - self responsibility - preach self responsibility.
Learn from others mistakes - accident info in often posted by friends or the actual rider - misconceptions/ misinformation cleared up on forums etc.
Nearly every piece of information is sourced from kiters hoping that others will learn from an unfortunate/tragic experience.
I have a great deal of respect for those that teach kiting, they are doing everyone a great service. I have run a kiteschool, it is no walk in the park, you really have to be dedicated to the job.
This isnt for me and my friends - we kited since the very beginning and can generally look after ourselves and those around us - it's for newer kiters, those thinking of getting themselves/their kids into kiting that did not have the benefit of collecting a lot of useful information on the way through the development of kiting where a lot of lessons were learnt - almost all still very much relevant.
