this just in

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moredownhaul
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Joined: 05/10/2007 - 07:28
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this just in

Alan

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nitro
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Joined: 08/26/2003 - 15:07
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Yep, saw that on the weather channel this morning. Yikes!

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albert
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Joined: 12/17/2002 - 09:20
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That had to hurt. I hope the guy is OK.

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khalil
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Joined: 04/03/2004 - 09:57
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strange accident especially that he kept pulling the bar! must be a beginner.
He should have at least let go of the handle bar. obviously he missed the opertunity to pull the emergency release. the mistake is that people wait until its too late to pull the emergency.
I have pulled the emergency many times without hesitation and the key is to anticipate whats coming up and not wait until its too late.
in addition to that i would recommend practicing the release without looking at it although its usually right in front of your harness but when you're air born like that your basic instinct is to pull.

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webguy
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Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
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strange accident especially that he kept pulling the bar! must be a beginner.
He should have at least let go of the handle bar. obviously he missed the opertunity to pull the emergency release. the mistake is that people wait until its too late to pull the emergency.
I have pulled the emergency many times without hesitation and the key is to anticipate whats coming up and not wait until its too late.
in addition to that i would recommend practicing the release without looking at it although its usually right in front of your harness but when you're air born like that your basic instinct is to pull.

Not a beginner. No. 54 on the roster for 60 Mile Jupiter To Ft. Lauderdale Race 2007

http://fksa.org/showthread.php?p=26119

"the key is to anticipate whats coming up and not wait until its too late." is a bit simplistic and often only evident with the benefit of hindsight.

He is in critical condition but expected to recover.

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Randy
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Joined: 05/05/2002 - 10:38
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It was on channel 2 last night. Monica seemed a bit amused by it....

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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windlord
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Bill Herderich

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thin'air
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Joined: 12/10/2005 - 12:57
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also remember this - when the great white shark has you in his jaws, remain calm and gouge the eyes.

novice or pro - stuff happens and we just don't always react as calmly as the Apollo 13 crew. Let's just 'vibe' him back to good health and many more days on the water. OK - and above the water . . . but on purpose.

tc / thin'air

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Barrett
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Joined: 12/23/2003 - 23:07
Posts: 3411

Tim, your comment pretty well sums up the experience I had being lifted by a gust while kiting. This was several years ago when I was trying out the sport. Just like the kiter in the video, I was suddenly lifted up and slammed onto the water, breaking two ribs. Even the best quick release wouldn't have worked, because the force was so great and sudden that I couldn't even lift my arms. I felt like I'd been grabbed by a shark and shaken.

The risk of kiting is compounded by the complete lack of directional control when a kiter becomes airborne. Kites can't be controlled in turbulent conditions. Airplanes can fly through turbulence because they have three axis control and the airframe is stressed for high G loading. When kiters are caught by an updraft or a sudden gust, they have no control over where and when they will land.

Kiting is an exhilarating sport, but consider the risks before launching when turbulence or updrafts can be present in the air.

Barrett

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