New Video-Near fatal storm lofting, things to avoid

[RickI]

In depth video summary of the accident.


It's that time of year again in the Atlantic, even have an early tropical system east of the Bahamas bringing some gale force winds. Lots of lessons in this accident, some history not to repeat. Not only did this rider nearly get killed, the same feeder band squall line broke a guys neck in Miami just to the south. Could have been two kiters taken out by the same weather band, miles apart. Unnecessary, readily avoidable accidents if you're plugged into predicted and developing weather conditions. Learn what brings the wind worth chasing vs. that to avoid, it can be pretty easy.

More at:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2350693


Weather planning & monitoring ideas at:
viewtopic.php?f=131&t=2363902&p=647140

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[Tone]

the guy was a fool and that is that...

[RickI]

the guy was a fool and that is that...

There were lots of other guys out, then there was the guy with the broken neck in Miami in the same squall line 25 miles south.

I wish it was as simple as one guy's bad choice and ill advised TV interviews. Reality is, he had lots of company on the water in the tropical storm that day. We all like wind, it is feasible to grab some great wind time without putting your life, health, access and future riding prospects up for grabs in a real poor bet.

[HAMLINDP]

THIS IS AN OLD VIDEO. NOT NEW.

This guy was jack-assinine as well. He was an idiot that has been blacklisted from most forums and kiter groups around the world for his poor representation of kiters and kiting.

It's his ilk that will get us banned from beaches around the world.

Hey gang, if you're going to kite, know how to use your emergency systems. And if perchance, you freak out and mess up, don't act like an idiot on the local news cast.

[jwoodunlv]

Nobody had a problem with him until we saw him on that news clip professing his love for sea turtles.

[RickI]

I just got a copy of this summary segment a few months ago, so it is a new video. The accident happened in 2008.

There were dozens of guys out that day in similar conditions including one other near fatality. Could have easily been a bunch of guys messed up. That is really the point of putting this up, paying attention to weather.

Fixating on Kevin and his pain killer induced TV phantasms and ignoring the real lessons of this mess would be a worse mistake. He is one incredibly lucky guy. Now play back that footage with it ending with someone killed and you have what usually happens in such dire circumstances. In a way, this footage is a free look and a warning but only if we're wise enough to take it.

[RG]

You can't train for a kick in the nuts!

[RickI]

Any kicks in the nuts in this storm were sorely asked for. The trick is to step out of the way before the foot leaves the ground (squall arrives). It isn't that hard, just have to use some common sense and do some checking. In this case the high speed of travel of the storm and short distance of visibility made coming in before a squall line arrived a poor risk. Some guys managed to do it anyway, just not everyone obviously enough.

[RickI]

So, violent weather was forecast.
It was readily visible on radar, real time wind stations and in violent squall clouds moving in.
No one knows how strong or erratic winds will become in squalls particularly in these tropical systems. All you can do is to avoid them, if you give a damn about how things might work out. Not everyone does.

Images appear below of Tropical Storm Fay, looking hurricane-like with spiral arm feeder bands. TS Fay resulted in the deaths of 36 people in the Caribbean and USA. It spawned eleven tornadoes in the USA. It spent a week traveling up Florida resulting in the death of 11 people in that state alone. Parts of the state received 25 inches of rainfall. Winds were less than hurricane strength, forecast at 40 to 60 kts. perhaps higher in frequent squalls on August 18, 2008, the day of the kiting accidents. High gusty winds were cycling through a couple of times per hour where I was located in Palm Beach County for most of the day.


You can make out the spiral arms or feeder bands in the clouds comprising the system. Violent squalls are frequently embedded in these feeder bands.


From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Storm_Fay_(2008)

Here is a radar image of the area of the accident showing spiral bands, narrow clear areas and embedded squalls. The squalls were moving fast over ground, reportedly in excess of 50 mph. Visibility was low at times too, say around 3 miles. Three minute reaction time to land and secure, if you even notice the squall moving in in time.



The wind had been fairly light at around 16 kts. before the squall hit. Winds were estimated to gust to around 40 to 50 kts. as the squall moved over. Even stronger winds were forecast and were cycling through frequently that day with repeated squall lines in parts of SE Florida.

So, no freak wind or accident. It was forecast, visible in advance through radar and wind stations and visually at the beach. This accident brought negative attention to kiting and pressure against access. It is something we should work to avoid in the future for many reasons. Pay attention, use a little common sense have some great sessions and avoid those that might mess you and our access up needlessly.

FKA, Inc.

transcribed by:
Rick Iossi

[Erlend M B]

60 knots is a very strong. However this accident was not due to high wind alone, but mostly inexperience. An experienced kiter would not be lofted in the first place, and would certainly not loop the kite after the first impact. Remember, in some places of the world, squalls is all we have. It's a little provoking when people from places with steady 15 kts wind on sunny days several days a week condemn kiting in squalls. Hurricane squalls however, is a different story...