Kite Surfing

Just wondering if anyone knows if that guy is ok who got dragged over the wall and onto the road in Altona last week. I heard he wasn’t able to move his legs anymore and got taken away by an ambo. Does anyone know if he’s fine?

I was talking with Steve (KSS Altona) and a couple of the other guys and they said that was the second ambulance down there that day, but no more details than that.

Two ambulances on a light wind day is surprising.

What day did the accident happen?

With the warmer weather and the SE'sters coming on, there have been a lot of noobs out there, and at times chockers in places. Also some %^&^%%%'s charging through as well.

On some of the recent sessions, yes the wind was light, then picked up some more turning gusty. Either way that is what the safety knob is for.

Any details of why he ended up crossing the barrier?


Regards,
Norman.

I think it was wednesday last week (too much kiting, it's all a blur). Don't know what happened. I launched off the main beach in Altona and stayed towards apex park mainly in the flat water area, the wind was ok not too gusty and on the lighter side. There were not many kiters out. A few were doing laps from the pier to the flat water just after the groin and back again. Didnt pay too much attention what they were doing or what skill level they had. Next thing was I Cab in a tree on the corner of Webb Street and a couple fo people were already there.
I had a chat to some of the kiters that helped him and thay mentioned something went wrong and he ended up on the side of the road not able to move his legs.
Beginner or not, it doesn't matter, lets hope the dude is fine and back on the water again.

Some serious noobs out there. Either people aren't getting lessons, or aren't getting good quality lessons. This is probably a generalisation, but it would seem that most schools are not adequately teaching students how and more importantly when to launch a kite. I've seen terrible launches lately, including when others are 'helping a friend' or maybe they are even teaching.

SoutherlyBuster is right on - East end is truly hectic now. Really hope nothing serious happens to ban kiting...

There is no reason the believe the guys was a newbie and I don't know, I didn't pay any attention. Fingers crossed for him!

However, there are masses of newbies in Altona and Altona is not as save as it may seems. There is not much room for things to go wrong.
One of the issues is also the fact that every website (incl. KBV) describes Altona as suitable beginners and schools keep telling their students to practice in Altona. But what are the options, I know one school in St. Kilda that churns out over 1000 kiters a season!!! Some may be tourists but a lot of them would be from around melbourne and they need to practice somewehre. But Altona is not the best place to practice.

Any thoughts on the best way to counter this?

Don't think the shops will be much help. Not sure on other ways to counter the problem. Pamphlet drop on all the cars with some guidelines about dealing with newbies?

I could chat to Derek from KBV and see if he has any ideas on what should be done?

It would be worth talking to the guy from KSS. I don't see why this wouldn't be in his best interst.
Pamphlet's could be a simple way.
A large sign at the beach, but that would involve the council.
KBV, try it, I'm not getting any responses from them.
Update the KBV website with better kite location info.
KBV to send out regular newsletters with that sort of info included, i.e. hazards, accidents.
...or de we need to create an altona kitesurf club to push that through ->transform MAKO.

Get a small remote helicopter with razors on the tips of the blades, anyone flying dangerously snip their lines.
Problem Solved

Bad accident on a light wind day, could be perhaps flying a large kite beyond his capabilities. Either way hope he recovers well, not being able to move your legs does not sound good.