was trying to launch my kite yesterday when a fellow asked me to help him launch... after i helped him, a went to launch my charger, not thinking to re- walk and inspect the lines (i just set them up)...

i guess the left pulley got whipped around in the wind (or something) and got a bit twisted up... when i launched it went into a spin right through the power zone and dragged me across about 50ft of cinderblocks, right towards a rather terrifying arrangement of rocks at the shoreline ... luckily, the kite crashed into the water when it did, i was preparing to have to try to launch myself over the first set and hope that i landed in the water... it all happened so fast that pulling the safety was just not possible... about 3 seconds maybe

the spot isnt without its faults, but many people fly there... i never did like those silly cinderblocks... but the price paid was not because of a faulty location, rather it was from not walking the lines again after leaving them for a couple minutes... im just glad the price wasnt higher, because it sure could have been...

i had to leave without getting a session in

-one humbled kiter

I had a similar session two weeks ago on my 19m CH

wind was 21mph and the field was unmowed. On launch i think the pully got snagged on a clumb of dead grass and stubble. i went butt skudding down field a good distance before the kite reached zenith. the kite was still somewhat stalled out in the powerzone with the pully stuck underneath the wing tip. I gave the bar a couple of good shakes trying to get it unstuck but it didn't work. I had to land.

all of the extra pressure on the vpc underneath the wingtip bent up my spar. i tried to relaunch and fly with the bent spart but it doesnt work so will in the 20s! I had to launch my 12m and fly underpowered for the rest of the day.

when i got home i took my spar apart and replaced the bent section from an old set of spars. i flew the 19 the next day with no issues. but now i launch my kites next to the parking lot on a patch of dead grass that is really short, it just has a little bit of gravel in it.

my vpc was fine when i launch, and i do the same thing everytime i set up my chargers, but you can never eliminate the problems that weather conditions and field conditions throw your way. Luckily i didn't get hurt and my kite didn't get hurt, just had to replace a bent piece.

Yep, that's something I've learnt (thankfully!) through other people's #@%$#!-up stories - if your setup gets interrupted, start again from the beginning!

Quote:

Originally posted by flyjump I had a similar session two weeks ago on my 19m CH wind was 21mph and the field was unmowed. On launch i think the pully got snagged on a clumb of dead grass and stubble. i went butt skudding down field a good distance before the kite reached zenith. the kite was still somewhat stalled out in the powerzone with the pully stuck underneath the wing tip. I gave the bar a couple of good shakes trying to get it unstuck but it didn't work. I had to land.

I've never had success getting a bridle wing wrap undone. Never really understood why not; you can pull the kite in really far on just the top lines, leaving the bottom lines slack.

I now use the velcro tabs to hold tight both bridles away from the wing tips prior to launch, to prevent/minimize this as much as possible.

Sorry to hear about your leg, and I'm glad it wasn't any worse than it is. I hope you heal quick so you can get back out there

All those cinderblocks are pretty nasty, and why they haven't been covered with sand or dirt is beyond me. I've even seen broken bottles in them. The last two times I've been there, I've seen and removed broken glass from the little path people use to get in/out of the water. My buddy cut his thumb on a rock that was under water near the launch, and my other buddy cut both his heels on a different rock that was under water. That place needs a cleanup day ASAP.

yeah... i dont ever go anymore because i prefer the waveriding on the island... i only went because the wind was offshore (but good for the levy)...

the leg hurts like a son of a gun, and today i wore 8 band aids on my right hand (thats a record for me, lol) to keep away from possible infection... found some spray on antiseptic spray that supposedly doesnt sting (not totally true)...

that place has needed a cleanup for a while... i think im just gonna find another spot, tho... maybe lake conroe or somethin???

anywho.. thanks for the well-wishes... ttyl

I had a hot launch into an elementary school because I didn't check my lines properly. Kite ended up on the roof; (no damage thank god) praise allah for people skills/impact jacket.

Explaining the sport to a janitor at 6pm in the afternoon is not my idea of a good time.
I triple check my lines now.

just got news from a fellow kiter that yet another accident occured at the levee in texas city... this time the guy ended up in the rocks, hit to the head... required an airlift out of there...

its posted on in kiteforum if you are a member... my prayers go to his speedy recovery... i was merely inches from the same fate...

there were 2 errors in my attempted launch (site selection and not triple-checking my lines after a brief absence), so i am not blaming the spot, but i think im done with that spot... the only time i ever think about using it is in northern winds... which are offshore in the waves, and that is when the wind is blowing over the cinders and into the rocks...

im sure there was a bit too much excitement and a touch of carelessness involved, but i still think that whoever put those damn rocks there had a bad idea, they are treacherous... the cinderblocks are nearly as bad an idea... they nearly took me out, and seriously injured another in a matter of two days...

just to clarify... not blaming the rocks, but damn they are poorly placed on a kitesurfers hangout...

I've found that if you can overfly the Chargers at the edge of the window and get a semi collapse the lines will slacken enough when it stalls out and starts to flutter and float backwards you can yard the opposite side about 1' above the floats and it will resolve. Works most of the time if you realize the issue before you get dragged.:D

Cinder blocks ... wasn't this spot, was it?
http://galvestondailynews.com/story/265990

yes, kami, it was

Yikes!

tell me about it... i was being pulled right at the same rocks that got the dude in the head... kite crashed and stopped pulling about six inches shy of them in my case...

its a bad site in a NW wind... i guess i thought i could get er done, despite the tightness of the launch...

good news for me is i can walk... the other guy not so lucky ... from what i hear he was a beginner and down there with a friend... no updates to his status

It happens real quick.

I was launching my 12m two weeks ago, winds only 20 knots and had an unknown assist launching me.
My fault was not at full 90 and kite picked up some of the power zone.
I was bounced across the beach 30 ft - hurt pride....:wee:

Happened two other times that day to a son and dad newbies and an expert - lines caught RH of bar again both onto beach.

"take our time, check and recheck and then check again"
I will sure be extra cautious from here forward.:shocked2:

so long as others learn... and know that just because youve been flyin a while doesnt exempt you from the pain...

thats why i share my story

HOLY OUCH ! GLAD U WALKED OUT OF IT!

... thanks... still hobbles a bit almost 2 weeks later... but like you said... glad im walkin... i also have some wonderful advice on first aid that ill be posting shortly