3rd Ave - Kiter accident at upper launch

[WindMuch]

Jos,

I stand corrected.

I just pulled out my new, spare Slingy bar, unwrapped it and sure enough the stopper is pulled part way down:

Slingy_Bar.jpeg (200.02KiB)Viewed 5558 times

Everyone - make sure you slide the stopper ball all the way UP before launching.

I'll make my contacts at Slingshot aware of this - I think it's something they should know about.

Kirk out

[sanjose_kiter]

So sorry to hear sh...t happened to a fellow kiter.
I wish him a speedy recovery

[246]

I'm the guy they hauled away. I want to thank all those who did the right things to help me and also helped with my gear. I also want to clarify what happened so somebody will be spared having to write this stuff from a hospital on an iPhone with their left thumb.

It was my first time with a new 2013 North control bar. My 10m rebel was fine for the wind but to be safe I applied a little depower and discovered the new depower adjustment tightened more smoothly and easily than my 2012 bar. So that was excessive depower. The depower tightened further when I tried to loosen it. Frustrated, I gave it too much attention and quickly got it right. But the wind must have been a bit swirly because I discovered the kite, without pulling noticeably, had drifted across the window and was at a weird angle. Never doubting I could save it I tried ....and failed. My last memory was reaching for the release as I was being pulled in bounding steps. Other observers know the rest better than me.

So thee clear mistakes:
1 - I should have been more worried about the apparent minor equipment change.
2 - I should have put the kite back down when the depower frustrated me.
3 - I should have yanked the release when I discovered the weird position of the kite.

Also, in this case, I would have been fine if I had gone on into the water fully depowered.

Amazingly, my right hand fingers all move without numbness so there's hope for reasonable but not full recovery. My broken arm is trivial. Complete recovery is probable from my broken 3rd lumbar vertebrae and pelvis (no separation). My right hand will see a bunch of surgeries and a cat ate one bone from my hand.

Thanks again to the many who helped.

[firstfishon]

I'm glad you're on your way to recovery, We're looking forward to see you get out on the water.

[MehYam]

It's awesome you're on your way back, and hope to see you riding at 3rd again.

However...

My right hand will see a bunch of surgeries and a cat ate one bone from my hand.

wut?

[friggin old guy]

From the information that's been posted, I understand that Lyn's hand was so severely fractured that some bone pieces were not recovered from the scene. I don't know Lyn personally so I hope he doesn't mind if presume to save him the time and trouble of responding directly on that question.

I have to say I think Lyn is a baller to be able to joke about it. Lyn, I hope your recovery fully includes getting back on the water in short order. And.....thank you for the info which is a big help to all of us. Hang in there!

[marinkiter]

Amazingly, my right hand fingers all move without numbness so there's hope for reasonable but not full recovery. My broken arm is trivial. Complete recovery is probable from my broken 3rd lumbar vertebrae and pelvis (no separation). My right hand will see a bunch of surgeries and a cat ate one bone from my hand.

This is what we want to hear Lyn. That was a gnarly tumble my man and you are tough as nails. Good luck with the rehab and we'll see you out there next season.

[androka]

Incredible, wish you a speedy recovery, glad you are keeping your spirits up. Reminds me of the story Bob told me, he was up at Sherman, saw a kiter with a patch over his eye. Asked the guy, "What happened?" Guy said he got dragged through the Tule marsh and a stem punctured his eye. Bob commiserated with him and the guy said, "yea I hope it doesn't happen again"

[peta]

Lyn, I am VERY GLAD you are able to take it jokingly despite the seriousness of the situation. I know its going to be awhile to recover but I am sure you get there. I know from my own experience what it feels like after a paragliding crash.

Most importantly thanks for writing up what happened as its very valuable information:

The lesson for all of us to be learned: WHEN LAUNCHING DONT BE DISTRACTED AND DONT SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF. CONCENTRATE ON THE BIG PICTURE. WHEN IN DOUBT PUNCH OUT.

Thanks again and I wish you a full and speedy recovery.

[246]

FINAL REPORT - SURPRISED MYSELF

Around Christmas time, still working at rehab and realizing it was a crazy idea, I decided that before I could consider driving to Baja this year I had to be able to do a pull up and had to be able to dig up a nasty tree root causing problems in my back yard. Well, I met the criteria and I've been here a week. I'm sitting on the beach looking at beautiful La Ventana bay.

Even more extreme is that my first windy day here, I windsurfed for an hour, then the next day I went out for an hour with the kite that almost killed me. I'm ecstatic at getting on with my life again.

I wish I could say I'm fully recovered but that will never happen. I'm still working at it and still getting better. Working at it is a lot more fun now. My wrist will always be stiff and weak but considering what happened, I'm really happy with what it will do.

Remember, if you see your kite float to a position edgewise to prevailing wind, punch out!

Thanks for the support, see you on the water.

(BTW it is incredible watching the crowd of kiteboard foilers here in La Ventana for the World Cup meet next week. One told me he has clocked 32 knots downwind.)