Fatality in Cumbrae Scotland

[North_Wind]

Not much detail here, but it seems we had a death in Scotland on Friday:

http://www.largsandmillportnews.com/new ... -cumbrae-/

BA

[littlekitegirl]

This article suggests it might have been a windsurfing accident, or perhaps even surfing? (mid way down)

http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/scotti ... -21565580/

Regardless of the sport - condolences to his family, he sounds like somebody who gave a lot to his family, community & was a well-admired coach

[irishbison]

http://www.nikiteforum.com/forum/viewth ... post_21068

this thread was started by his friend, and gives the facts at the end.....

David

[kite_n_rnd]

Very tragic news. My condolences to his family and friends.
May he Rest In Peace..

[GungaDin]

Dont visit nikiteforum unless you have antivirus software it tries to load a trojan

J

[FredBGG]

http://www.nikiteforum.com/forum/viewth ... post_21068

this thread was started by his friend, and gives the facts at the end.....

David

Here is the text from the nikiteforum.com:

to close off on this tragic accident.
i now have more solid details of what went wrong.
Alan was on land at the national watersports centre on the island of cambrae off the coast opposite largs at the mouth of the clyde where he is an instructor.
it was a gusty day he was showing beginners kite launching (it is believed)
he walked (kite in the air) across towards the water onto the concrete slipway and slipped on sand that had blown onto the concrete.
he lost control and caught a gust he got lifted/dragged.
hit rocks killed instantly

i only took a second. its a very harsh reminder to keep your kite low in gusty wind and wear a helmet.

"gone but not forgotten"

[Toby]

very sad to hear this loss. My condolences to the family and friends.

Helmet or not...we have to start in the very beginning...and this is releasing the kite immediately if something goes wrong. If you slip on land, release.

And for this we need a standard bar and all teaching methods making releasing the first and only reaction if something goes wrong.

RIP Alan

[Phil]

Helmet or not...

Toby... your comment pissed me off A LOT

My advice remains: Wear an helmet in any condition. Full stop.

My condolences to his family and friends
RIP Alan

Phil
Have Fun & Kite Safe

[AIR-TASTIC]

A helmet IS a good idea, but still doesnt preclude the RULES #1. #2 & #3
1. Release at the first sign of trouble
2. Release at the first sign of trouble
3. Release at the first sign of trouble

As such, releasing MUST be simple and a system that is common to all bars, as Toby wisely suggests

I was with my daughter yesterday and she had a real issue not "freezing up" when things started to go wrong. Which is potential disaster. I know I have done in the past as well (a) don't want to lose the kite (b) don't want to cause an incident (c) panic = red mist

Grabbing for the release MUST become instinctive before anyone takes to kiting mainstream

RIP all those who didnt release instinctively without a moment's hesitation

[RickI]

I am sorry for the loss of Alan and wish his family and friends comfort at this tragic time. What an incredibly active individual, providing leadership in so many sports, he will be missed.

There isn't always sufficient time to react. Alan may have been stunned by the fall and been pulled into the rocks in bare seconds. It is hard to say from the limited information. There have been plenty of other cases in which waiting until the crisis was in motion removed options for avoiding injury. There have been plenty in which there was sufficient time to react of course.

Reacting is usually the worst option available to us. This has been proven so many times over the years. We need to work to avoid the problem/crisis, this takes thought, anticipation and training.

Some launches particularly in more extreme conditions are excessively risky. We can get away with a lot but sometimes things just don't workout. The ease of depowering newer kites likely has made us a bit more careless. You can do things today that you wouldn't be able to consider with traditional C kites. Pick your launches/landing areas and methods with care and get offshore without delay. Conditions may change the viability of some launches, the kiter needs to assess the risks that day and act accordingly.

Helmets are a good idea, they can help to protect your brain, when it may not be fully focused on protecting you. They're for just in case, for things none of us can properly anticipate. They won't protect you from all impacts but we never know what kind of accident we're going to have. Who would have thought someone could survive being lofted 165 ft. into a house? I would be doubtful myself, a helmet made a critical difference in that case and many others since.