I finally wiped out badly on Sunday early morning. I got up early for low tide (6:00am) and was on the beach by 6:30am. Perfect smooth wind on a Quadrifoil Competition XL. I rode about 2 miles up the beach then about 3 miles back down the beach and ate it hard. I was probably going 25 mph or so and hit a soft patch of sand. Problem is I walked down to the beach without my knee pads and helmet. I was still asleep when I walked to the beach........and just forgot them.
I bounced 3 times on my knees then flipped over and smacked my head, plus minor spranged ankles. I didn't crash my kite :-) I kept it flying thoughout the drag and got back up and rode home-slowly this time. I felt like I was going to throw up for about and hour after.
Lesson learned always always always where your armor when riding. This sucks cause my knees are super swollen up.
See ya-Scott

Ouch! I always wear a helmet but never body armor (but never shorts either).

Sounds like a painful wreck but hey, you did ride 5 miles and that's something in and of itself. A long run for me is maybe 300 feet on a board and then I'll be needing to turn quick AND, most importantly, you didn't crash the kite.

Unless I'm on my bar I don't fly with killers. I have them but find them a PIA so I'm very aware of the kite too when crashing. Been dragged a few times but usually wind up with the kite at the zenith as opposed to the ground when I finally come to a stop.

I hope you heal up soon and don't let this beat your confidence down. Anyone who surfs with a foil on handles can recover from a boarding accident - but don't forget your safety gear next time!

The feeling of nausea may indicate you suffered a concussion - might want to get your head checked out if you are still not 100%.

Ouch!!!!

Glad your still in one piece though.

I usually wear knee/wrist guards... but should learn from others the importance of a helmet.

I'm feeling better. I usually ride with shorts, tee shirt, hat and no shoes. I still won't ride with shoes but I'll wear a helmet for sure. This break from riding gave me a chance to take my board apart and really grease everything up. I'm ready to go as soon as my knee is better.
No headache or anything since Sunday early afternoon so I guess my head is ok. I'll be wearing a helmet next time for sure.
The knee is still swollen but is not quite as sore. It's painful to the touch all around the knee cap. But the bruising is not that bad. It's been on ice most of the time since Sunday morning. I think I'll be fine in a few days as long as the swelling goes down. If not then off to the orthopedic doc for a tune up
Crazy thing is I just bought a Flexifoil Blade 10.5 meter.
Enjoy the ride and wear the armor.
Scott
The picture is me riding with my Competition XL

The Ten Rules of Traction Kiting.
1. Always wear a helmet!
2. Always wear a helmet!
3. Always wear a helmet!
4. Always wear a helmet!
5. Always wear a helmet!
6. Always wear a helmet!
7. Always wear a helmet!
8. Always wear a helmet!
9. Always wear a helmet!
10. Sorry, I always forget the last one.

I forgot rule number 4. Trust me it won't happen again!!!! I'm so pissed off at myself I just want to throw up:megan:

Last Friday I went out after work to KGB out on the beach.
On my 6th or 7th run I was just getting ready.
Standing on the board and kite over head.. Lowered it down as normal, but this time it didn't start pulling till almost ground level..Front wheels then burried because the pull was low..
Pulled hard and I tried the normal leap out of the bindings.. This time my left foot got stuck, and POP.. I heard it..Left Knee.. Darn it hurt..
After a minute stood up..:singing: and finished that Run .

Sore last couple of days, and wont be out for awhile....Grrrrrrrrr

Bummer sorry to hear about the wipe out.
I wiped out a few days before April 24th. It's now June 12 and my knee is still very sore. I still can't put much pressure on the kneecap, have a hard time squating down and it hurts when I bend my knee back very far.

Wear protective gear!
Scott

Quote:

Originally posted by speleopower Bummer sorry to hear about the wipe out. I wiped out a few days before April 24th. It's now June 12 and my knee is still very sore. I still can't put much pressure on the kneecap, have a hard time squating down and it hurts when I bend my knee back very far. Wear protective gear! Scott

Have you seen a doctor? That sounds pretty serious.

Yes Iwent to the docs. I went to my orthopedic surgeon a few days after it happened. Had an X-ray and MRI. Nothing conclusive i.e. nothing obviously torn or broken.
It is mostly swelling and a possible very very slight fracture on one of the bones-can't remember which one without looking at the MRI report. But nothing conclusive.
The advise was to take it easy, ice when needed and call if it gets worse.
It's been slowly getting less sore as the days go on. I even went on a long bike ride last weekend and it did not hurt at all.
It did hurt like crap the first few days.
Scott

I tore my ACL and meniscus after a fall landboarding last year. I was able to get up and walk (limping) pretty much right away and my knee swelled up and got more painful over the next few hours. Went into work the next day thinking that my knee would be okay, but my co-workers convinced me to have it checked out, so I took off early and went to the urgent care clinic. The doc there examined my knee and told me that it was just a bad sprain and the I didn't tear anything.

A month later the swelling had gone down and my knee was much less painful but I still had pain squatting and every no and then I would take a bad step and feel a rush of intense pain. I decided that a month was long enough... and that it was time to have it checked out again.

I went to an orthopedic doc and had an MRI done. That's when I found out the extent of the damage. I asked why the other doc thought that I hadn't tore anything. His reply was that it is very common for ligament and cartilage tears to go undiagnosed initially because it can be hard to "feel" if things are right in the knee when there is alot of swelling.

If I were you I'd go back to the OS if your knee isn't feeling significantly better in a week or so and have it checked out again. MRI's aren't 100% accurate.

For me, surgery went well, and I am back to kiting and doing whatever I want, but ACL replacement takes a long time to heal- I had a "speedy" recovery and spent 6 months off kiting.

Best of luck- I hope that your injury is not as serious as mine.

Stace

OUCH ! Torn ACL.... Very Glad to hear You are Better..


I found out mine is a Grade II MCL.. Since I did it last Friday, I should be better in 4 or 5 weeks..
SWEET, So much better then missing the season. :singing:..

Im a very happy kiter :cool2:

Maybe I will get it checked again. But the swelling is down and it doesn't hurt very often except for deep squat downs.
I've been out kitesurfing and ATB riding quite a bit in the past couple of weeks and don't have a problem on the water or sand.

Scott