posted June 09, 2005 04:29 AM         

An ex-customer of ours recently went kite-surfing. He is quite a good surfer but I am not sure how much he knows abt. kites. The type of kite used was probably a parafoil, which is the type they use in kite buggying and also for man-lifting (if you like that kind of extreme sport) and VERY powerful. Anyway - I digress - this guy was "launched" in the very small harbour of our neighbouring town, which is a tight oxbow crescent with rocks at one end. Result: he shot up 80 ft. into the air, surfboard, kite and all, and crashed into the rocks at the far end. He was knocked unconscious but miraculously escaped with only concussion. Mr. Aqua said it couldn't happen to a nicer person (the guy is a pig-farmer with a reputation for arrogance) but I think more serious issues are at stake here.

1. If you must go kite-surfing, do it along a LONG, SANDY stretch of beach. There is no point in not having a soft landing.
2. Take some time to become a kite nerd and read up on kites. Doesn't matter if you are a good surfer, kites have a slightly different type of "pull" from a sail. You should be fully aware of the pull some of them can exert and the risks involved. Make sure the potential pull of the kite is appropriate to your weight, and NEVER, EVER, fly a kite over a footpath, cycle track or carriageway. The nylon strings could cut s/o's throat or cause other damage. (Incredibly, I saw s/o doing exactly this the other day. I had a good mind to tick him off.)
Kites are fun but they can also be dangerous. Be aware!!

Happy Holidays!

LOL

AriesTiger

posted June 09, 2005 11:59 AM         

Thank you, thank you (glows) I pride myself on my uniqueness...

No, no, no, Philly, I'm sure it wasn't!