No helmet = no launch ?

[biba]

In order to be launched at 3rd, I propose a safety assessment fee of $10, payable cash.

The subject will be required to self hot-launch and demonstrate the immediate use of safety eject, while coming no closer than 10 ft of the rocks. An $85 LE repair fee will be payable to Sonny if the kite lands on the rocks.

Failures will be directed to Alameda for a 2 week practice.

[WindMuch]

While I don't personally choose to wear a helmet (yet), I do think they're a great idea. I also wear sunscreen but no sunglasses. Choose your evils...

In the case of the accident in question, a helmet certainly would have reduced pain and cranial lacerations, but it wouldn't have done anything for his "broken wrist, broken back, and broken pelvis".

Are we going to propose a full metal jacket for launch?

Ready_to-Kite.jpg (32.34KiB)Viewed 4406 times

Kirk out

[sanjose_kiter]

I think wearing a helmet is a great idea for safety. However, kitesurfing is a sport where you need to be aware of the risks involved (accidents @ launching/landing, malfunction equipment a few miles from shores, white sharks @ Waddell, etc ...). At 3rd ave for example, one needs to be aware of the basic safety rules: don't walk your kite all over the bike path, don't launch your kite too close to the rocks, don't throw the kite up when launching at the upper launch, be aware of the slippery mud & rocks/rebar at the launching cove .... and the list goes on and on.

However, imposing a fast and hard rule on fellow kiters even for safety reason is not what I would recommend.

Thanks
Alex

[jsin138]

Sorry, I don't launch kiters without Sumo.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1379047266.900795.jpg (160.02KiB)Viewed 4388 times

[Col.kiteman]

Oh boy

[Thor29]

"I am sure MOST people (including myself) agree that wearing a helmet is absolutely necessary. So I have a question - how do you feel when someone without a helmet asks you for a launch? "

You are quite wrong, I do not agree that a helmet is absolutely necessary. In fact, if you look around next time you go kiteboarding, you might notice that there are a lot of us crazy dangerous people with bare heads (maybe even a majority). You can be an arrogant jerk if you want, but I'm thinking you won't help your cause at all.

Helmets have become a religious icon in America far beyond their actual usefulness. Please show me the statistics that prove a need for helmets in kiteboarding. Go ahead, I'm waiting. Right, there aren't any.

[dwaynej]

IMHO - Site helmet requirement are likely going to come from the site managers/owners themselves. I am involved with a non profit and the local city is now enforcing bans on evening park activities on the off chance someone gets a mosquito bite and comes down with West Nile disease.

I'm a newbie but have worn helmets cycling, hang gliding, and skiing so have no issues with helmets kiteboarding.

Dwayne

[biba]

I think most people have issue with the image. Kiting as with many other sports, is all about the image when you land a trick and so on. Clothing has to be cool, kite has to be cool board and the trick itself.. umm where's that helmet fit into? I can't imagine a freestyler with a helmet... just not cool eh?

Also, the chances to squash your melon are sky high when you are a beginner.. in any sport. Once you get really good at it, it's highly unlikely you will suffer a catastrophic injury, moreso, due to kite piloting error / wardrobe malfunction.

PS: I do wear a helmet, my melon is more valuable :D

[Sonny]

I think most people have issue with the image. Kiting as with many other sports, is all about the image when you land a trick and so on. Clothing has to be cool, kite has to be cool board and the trick itself.. umm where's that helmet fit into? I can't imagine a freestyler with a helmet... just not cool eh?

Also, the chances to squash your melon are sky high when you are a beginner.. in any sport. Once you get really good at it, it's highly unlikely you will suffer a catastrophic injury, moreso, due to kite piloting error / wardrobe malfunction.

PS: I do wear a helmet, my melon is more valuable :D

I'm sure most people don't wear the helmet because they don't think it's cool but I disagree that the kiting is all about the image. I definitely do not kite because of the image, I kite because it's fun and I enjoy it, more like I'm addicted to it.

[biba]

Bbbut Sonny, you look awesome on that board floating 2 ft off the water! That alone is enough to guarantee the coolness factor, helmet or not :D (j/k)