Offshore windshift ---> Lost Kite

[graphik]

plus it's a perfect excuse ot to show up to work on Monday

[Kraimer]

The Coast Guard actually has lights.
Plus, not dark until about 8:30.

Not to mention the water is 80F

Good luck with that

[sarcasm]

With what? The CG saves people after the sun goes down, ya' know --- if they couldn't spot him from the heli in the first THREE hours. C'mon.
If the guy can't be found within 4 hours floating on a big kite (visual attractant) .. geez... the CG must really suck a.ss.
My experience is that they have the minimal training necessary to accomplish this "miracle" save.

[Safe_Cracker]

With what? The CG saves people after the sun goes down, ya' know --- if they couldn't spot him from the heli in the first THREE hours. C'mon.
If the guy can't be found within 4 hours floating on a big kite (visual attractant) .. geez... the CG must really suck a.ss.
My experience is that they have the minimal training necessary to accomplish this "miracle" save.

Naaa that is right where they found Elian Gonzalez (sp) and he was on a inner tube , they are pretty good at what they do....I remember the first time I swam out past the buoys I thought I was 1/2 mile out lmfao !

Polo..

[gbleck]

Yes but having the CG launch a night heli rescue is more expensive then a kite.

[sarcasm]

Some of you guys seem to be missing the point.
Sometimes currents actually run in an offshore fashion, making swimming in waves, etc. pretty difficult. I am not sure of that day, that place, but I have been in spots with an offshore current that would make swimming in 1/2 mile very difficult.

I will never let go of a flotation device, despite being a fine swimmer.
I figure I can swim it in. If I fail, I float and don't fatigue and drown.
You guys do what you want.

I wasn't aware that you had to pay to be rescued? Someone please support this statement.
For the third time, this happened well before dark.

[Safe_Cracker]

I am 99% sure it is paid by Broward County tax payers. I don't think ambulance rides qualify because a lot of hospitals use 3rd party companies. It would be like the fire dept coming to your house, putting out a fire and sending you a bill for the $30,000 they spent. Now say for instance they can prove you did it intentionally and many a man hour was involved the county can take you to court before a judge to make you pay them back. I do agree with you about the kite being a flotation device especially in that area due to the Rip Currents. Now what about those poor souls flying foil kites, what do they do when they dork there kite and they cannot relaunch? My bet would be to ditch that octopus because that is exactly what it would be like a huge mess waiting to tangle you up, possibly drowning you?


Polo...

[gbleck]

I forget not everyone rides a floaty directional with a lifejacket.

[piggy]

A kiter was riding a prototype Sling Shot Raptor kite yesterday when the wind suddenly shifted offshore.

so is this a new kite slingshot is bringing out...any news??

[tautologies]

comon guys, realize conditions are different at different spots...what works at your spot might not be the right solution at another...

Some spots here are side on, where the weather turns like Rick described...with reasonably strong side current where getting in by swimming is actually a better bet...with a kite you might miss the island all together...no matter how strong of a self rescuer you are...

I do think losing kites to changing conditions was more common before tho..