Fw: RE: My accident...

[Richard Hunter]

Marcos,   I was thinking of Coles Creek when you wrote about the Creve Coeur kitemare, so I think you told me about that, though I don't recall the specifics. However, you seemed to quit kiting at Carlyle several years ago, and I have always been curious about the reason for that. Was it related to the Creve Coeur incident? I think at the time I attributed it to your kite being no longer functional and you not replacing it.   Rich --- On Thu, 11/19/09, Richard Hunter <richs...@sbcglobal.net> wrote: From: Richard Hunter <richs...@sbcglobal.net> Subject: RE: My accident... To: windf...@googlegroups.com Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 10:18 AM Marcos,   I had noticed that you were no longer joining me in kiting a while back, when it was just you and me with kites. That's the first time I heard of your kitemare. What happened specifically?   Having only kited Carlyle, Creve Coeur two or three times, and the Gorge, I can say I have had too many close calls to count, including ones away from shore. I believe the sport is much riskier than we let ourselves believe.   Rich --- On Thu, 11/19/09, Marcos Vidal <vidal...@hotmail.com> wrote: From: Marcos Vidal <vidal...@hotmail.com> Subject: RE: My accident... To: "windsurf group" <windf...@googlegroups.com> Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 8:55 AM Hi guys, Everybody has kitemares. I almost kill myself when launching at Creve Coeur lake on a very strong gusty day, but left the beach without any injury. I did never again kited on that gusty lake. I prefer to windsurf when the wind is strong and gusty.  We all made mistakes, it's just a matter of luck the price you pay for such mistakes. There are pro kiters who were fighting for the word title and are now on wheelchairs so it's not a matter on how good you are. But it's an extreme sport and it's good that some people want to take risks; look at this recent article and video from the BBC: "Two kite surfers jump over pier". http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/8362671.stm Amazing jumps! Marcos Vidal > From: tim.w.h...@boeing.com > To: windf...@googlegroups.com > Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:43:24 -0600 > Subject: Re: My accident... > > Hey wes I hope you consider changing your mind...I don't think kiteboarding is any more dangerous than other sports such as motorcycles, mountain biking, snowboarding, ect. You can get hurt doing just about anything! Respect your position though, getting hurt is never fun. And as I age I question the effect on my wife and daughter if I got hurt or worse. > > Tim > Tim Hossfeld > Boeing - Phantom Works > 314-233-5692 (desk) > 314-422-5560 (cell) > 314-545-6083 (ste) > tim.w.h...@boeing.com > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: windf...@googlegroups.com <windf...@googlegroups.com> > To: Wind Fun St. Louis <windf...@googlegroups.com> > Sent: Wed Nov 18 16:54:05 2009 > Subject: Re: My accident... > > > Thanks Chris. I LOVED being on the water and feeling the wind so much > that I suspect windsurfing may be next, and will likely take you up on > your offer. > > I'll gladly continue to be a resource for local wind forecasts for the > group. > > On Nov 18, 4:08 pm, Chris Mihill <cmih...@sbcglobal.net> wrote: > > Wes, > >   > > Sorry to hear about your accident.  However, I'm glad it wasn't worse (Head injury for example).  Yes serious accidents are the downside to kiting, especially early on in the learning curb.  If, next year, you still the miss being on the water, I'll gladly teach you how to windsurf.  Serious injuries are rare if ever, and with plenty of accessible launches, you'll greatly expand your time on the water.   > >   > > CM > >   > > BTW, If you're so inclined, keep the weather forecasts coming!  > > > > --- On Wed, 11/18/09, wes <wes.brown...@noaa.gov> wrote: > > > > From: wes <wes.brown...@noaa.gov> > > Subject: My accident... > > To: "Wind Fun St. Louis" <windf...@googlegroups.com> > > Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 12:36 PM > > > > All, > > > > Just a note to let the group know I had a serious accident while > > kiting last week at Dauphin Island, Alabama, resulting in a broken > > left femur just below the ball joint to my hip.  An excellent > > orthopedic traumatologist was able to save the joint (there was > > concern that a hip replacement might be needed), and I'm expected to > > fully recover. I'll be off my leg for 90 days though.  It happened > > when I tried to execute a turn too close to the beach and the next > > thing I remember I was slamming down hard into the sand at the water's > > edge (I'm guessing I brought the kite to 12 too fast and got lofted). > > Luckily I was able to get the attention of a couple walking down the > > mostly deserted beach and was rescued in an emergency SUV to a waiting > > ambulance. Of course at least 1 decision could have avoided this...not > > approaching the beach too close at my skill level.  I also should > > NEVER have launched along such a deserted stretch of beach by myself, > > and was very lucky someone heard my call for help.  My dear wife flew > > down and stayed at my side until we drove back early this week.  After > > a lot of thought, I've decided to give up this wonderful sport. I wish > > all of you safe kiting! > > > > Wes > > >