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Real risk to be hit by a lightening when riding

Forum with lots of safety info - a must for newbees
Regis-de-giens
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Real risk to be hit by a lightening when riding

Postby Regis-de-giens » Mon Jun 25, 2018 9:09 am

We sometimes are tempted to ride when a storm could arrive in the surrondings. I was wondering what is the actual risk to be hit by a lightening with a kite. Does any of you heard about one kitesurfer hit by a thunder ?
Risk seems lower than on a windsurf due to kite round shape and materials but it is pure assumption.
Last edited by Regis-de-giens on Mon Jun 25, 2018 10:11 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Real risk to be hit by a thunder when riding

Postby Adventure Logs » Mon Jun 25, 2018 9:37 am

You mean lightening? Thunder is just the noise.

Regis-de-giens
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Re: Real risk to be hit by a thunder when riding

Postby Regis-de-giens » Mon Jun 25, 2018 10:10 am

Yes lightening, sorry. I ll correct in the post , Thank you

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Re: Real risk to be hit by a lightening when riding

Postby Gyre » Mon Jun 25, 2018 12:05 pm

I met a guy who felt a tingle in his arms and harness because lightning struck nearby. His kite wasn't actually struck but that's probably just lucky. Seems like common sense to get off the water when there's a thunderstorm.

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Re: Real risk to be hit by a lightening when riding

Postby FLandOBX » Mon Jun 25, 2018 12:56 pm

Gyre wrote:
Mon Jun 25, 2018 12:05 pm
I met a guy who felt a tingle in his arms and harness because lightning struck nearby.
Feeling an electrical "tingling" is actually fairly common when a storm is approaching or nearby. The atmosphere holds a charge that can sometimes be felt through the lines and bar as a "tingling" sensation usually while boosting. If it happens, it is definitely time to get off the water. I don't know the statistics on actual lightening strikes, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.

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Re: Real risk to be hit by a lightening when riding

Postby jeromeL » Mon Jun 25, 2018 1:13 pm

it's pretty common to feel tingle even when there is not lightning in the area, especially right when landing a jump,
Something about electro static in the air
Though being hit by lightning would feel different lol

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Re: Real risk to be hit by a lightening when riding

Postby tomato » Mon Jun 25, 2018 1:38 pm

You fly lines soaked in salty water, similar like conductors. And on huge flat area kite is the highest point, connected to you with feet in water. If there will be lightning near, i think your name will be in history as the first kiter to got hit.

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Re: Real risk to be hit by a lightening when riding

Postby Mossy 757 » Mon Jun 25, 2018 1:55 pm

Lightning, sure, but lightning also usually comes with gusty winds and that's more likely to hurt a kiter than being struck by lightning (hence its use as an idiom signifying low statistical odds).

This is what's going to kill you if you're out kiting in periods of high convective storm activity: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microburst

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Re: Real risk to be hit by a lightening when riding

Postby edt » Mon Jun 25, 2018 2:09 pm

The only time a kiter has been struck by lightning is not with his kite in the air but after he landed it. I think there's something about the material of the kite or shape that makes it difficult for lightning to hit it. Like said above if you see lightning, land the kite! If you see lightning that means there is wind which can and will kill you, as it has killed dozens. It's good to be scared of lightning not because the lightning is dangerous but it's an indicator to put the kite down you could have a 70 knot gust at any time.

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Re: Real risk to be hit by a lightening when riding

Postby foilholio » Mon Jun 25, 2018 2:17 pm

When lighting conditions exist you can build charge by jumping, more charge by jumping high and longer. When you land you discharge, both kinky and exciting. At this stange you would be wise to packup quick and go home. The free electric chair sessions are about to start.


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