Jetski Kiting in Canada 70ft airtime

[L0KI]

I did this behind a jetski in 2005 or 06.
Was not facing backwards to the jetski, and I had a way to release the tow rope.
It was stupid and things went wrong.
My right steering line snapped, I went on a very quick "ride" back down and made a very painful slam landing.
Not a dead drop... but close enough.
Thankfully, I was only 50 feet up when things went bad, so no hospital time, but I did sustain permanent damage.
If anybody thinks that the stupid things they do to their bodies over and over again will go unpunished, they are wrong.
There is a price for cheap thrills.
.
.

p.s. This kiter was never 70 feet in the air.
Jesse Richman had a little more safety measures included in his stunt, but it was still risky.

[donohu90]

If I were the owner of that school, I wouldn't want my name anywhere near that

[Bille]

That stunt is a "LOT" safer when Ya use a pay-out winch
designed for towing up Para-gliders . The reason why
is that the pressure on the kite & lines, can be kept at a steady
rate of pull .

Static-line towing of a water-kite is NOT very safe to begin with, even
towing one with a pay-out winch is Dumb.
But
your odds of survival while towing up with a PG with the correct gear
is quite Good.

If you wanna Fly, then use gear that's designed for it.

Bille

[Air_Pharaoh]

Just a stupid question from a beginner. How is this any different from this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ8M9BV6SQ8

[RickI]

There is a long thread following this well publicized stunt, I would read that over for specifics.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2381484

I personally think it is still a bad idea, particularly without information about all the efforts taken to make it different from a casual towup attempt. The later part doesn't reflect well as being responsible on the part of leaders in the industry in my opinion.

Some differences include that it was setup by an experienced boat towup hang glider using some of the apparatus developed for that purpose. Paragliding apparatus was also used and/or modified. I suspect some training went on with these more experienced folks. Also, Jesse is an unusually adept kiter evidenced by his aerial performance in the stunt. He wasn't using standard kiting gear in short or normal kiting procedures either. Most guys that try this really have no clue, about any of it, cannon fodder in short.

Just a stupid question from a beginner. How is this any different from this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ8M9BV6SQ8

[edt]

Just a stupid question from a beginner. How is this any different from this:

the difference is that jesse knows it is stupid and dangerous and is prepared to take that risk. Those kids are just clueless idiots.

Pier jumping is a better stunt. It is just as as stupid and dangerous but more visually appealing and exciting. these tow stunts are stupid boring and dangerous. is there a worse combination? guy gets towed up, something snaps and they end up in the hospital. It's all danger and no thrill.

If there's no wind go to the cable park.

[L0KI]

It is pretty thrilling when you shoot up 80 feet in three seconds.
Still a very stupid idea.

[JS]

Just a stupid question from a beginner. How is this any different from this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ8M9BV6SQ8

Read my previous post, which explains why flying a kite while tethered to the ground or something else can result in forces of several thousand pounds... well past the breaking point of various components.

When it comes to physics and chemistry (and biology), what you don't know can kill you.

[BillyGoatGruff]

They used the original Ozone instinct which was prone to "hindenberging"... would never guess from the landings would you...

[fernmanus]

Not impressed. It takes no talent and is a good way to get yourself killed. On par with surfing on the top of a moving automobile - dumb.