Just wanted to commend all the guys at Loders today that helped our injured fellow kiteboarder after a mishap at low tide.
It was certainly a scary experience and I'm sure that once he realises what happened he will appreciate it too. Just bad bloody luck!
It does raise awareness as to the dangers of low tide at Loders tho.
Blake if your reading this, we packed up your gear and thought it best to give it to Todd. He is always around giving lessons and should be the easiest to retrieve it from when your feeling up to it!
We dont actually know each other but feel better mate. I hope you come good real soon.
Dean.
Hey Dean,
We had a visit from the two paramedics, who attended to Blake, this afternoon at Loders. They came down, around 4 ish, purely to inform us that if it wasn't for the quick thinking and fast actions of "the kfc crew", the outcome would have been tragic!
They were unaware of his condition today as their job is to deliver patients to the hospital.
I am led to believe that Todd is in touch with his next of kin and will let us all know how he is progressing via a post on this forum.
I for one, am so stoked to be part of a kiteboarding community that looks out for each other. Get well soon Blake, our thoughts are with you.......
From all the crew at kfc/loders
Terrific news... Blake's OK!
I have just spoken to his partner and she says Blake is awake and talking. He still has a wee way to go with a lung infection and he remains partly sedated but the doctors are happy he is going to pull thru.
She also said she asked him if he was going to go back kiteboarding, and the answer was YES! She then asked him if he was going kiteboarding as soon as he gets out of hospital, and the answer was YES!
Onya Blake! It'll be great to see back mowing the grass.
There is no doubt that the quick action by fellow kiters saved Blake's life.
Well done to the KFC kiters for keeping a careful watch on others and responding as you did from initial rescue thru until the Ambo's arrived.
Lessons we can take from this sickening accident are:
Be aware of the hazards of shallow water.
The additional safety wearing a helmet can bring.
Excellent News Todd! Look forward to having Blake back on the water with us soon.
Just a couple more things I would like to add, as I believe Blake is relatively new to the sport and also to our kiting location.....
There is nothing more valuable than local knowledge! It can't be stressed enough, that if you want to kite at a new location and there are already people kiting there, please ASK all the relevant questions that need to be answered ie: best wind direction, best tide for kiting there, any hazards to watch out for, etc etc.... and don't just ask one person, get a couple of opinions! As stated before on this forum many times, the crew at kfc are very friendly and helpful, and I am sure that is the case with most kiters. I haven't met too many that don't have a grin from ear to ear and are more than willing to share their experience 
Also, I work in an industry that is hell bent on driving home the importance of "SAFETY". Nobody is allowed on a job site without the appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment). You cannot perform ANY task without filling out and signing a JHA (job hazard analysis) ie: Identify the risks or hazards, plan how to control the risks and come what may, follow the plan.
We will always have the element of risk in our sport, but we CAN minimise the chance of accidents or deaths occuring......
PLEEEEASE stay safe........
... what happened?
Hey guys
thanks so much for everything. those guys who dragged me out saved my life. really appreciate it.
took a few weeks to get back on my feet but im feeling great now. its been awesome to get back out on the board and riding again. i have no idea what actually happened as i have no memory of the accident and my memory throughout the day is pretty hazy. but apparently the first thing i asked for when i came out of the coma was a beer and my kite. cant remember this either.
The accident has definalty made me more aware of the dangers of kiting especially at low tide and i wont be riding by myself. i hope it never happens to anyone else out there.
Im glad the whole kiting crew looks out for each other and will be there straight away to help someone else in trouble.
Thanks guys
Blake
Great to here you are on the water again that is such a great thing until we meet on the water some day happy winds
yeah mate sounds good. im away at work for another week but im getting keen to get back home and get out on the water!
