Session 474. Headed to Seaford with a forecast of good NW wind. There was plenty when we got there and not much beach. I rushed setting up then got a launch from James with me in the water and the kite on the beach. The sun was directly behind the kite so I couldn't see the lines or the rigging. Big mistake. When James let the kite go the kite looped and dragged me onto the beach then crashed into the dunes. I pulled the safety. There was a tangle in bridle that caused this.
Here is a video of the mishap then some nice bay kitesurfing
Luckily the kite was not damaged.
Contributing factors to this mishap were:
I assumed that there was a small hole in the bladder from the first crash, but I pumped up the kite later at home and it was fine. So I didn't tighten the valve properly (In a hurry to launch).
The wind dropped a bit so I switched to my 10m kite and had an enjoyable session in the waves and was feeling much better for it.
I used a chest harness for the Gopro. It works well and the camera is easy to adjust and turn on and off.
Here is a video of the mishap then some nice bay kitesurfing
Luckily the kite was not damaged.
Contributing factors to this mishap were:
- Haven't kited for a while (rusty)
- In a hurry to launch
- Didn't double check the lines and rigging
- Launching with the kite towards land (much safer to launch towards the water)
- Launching into the sun (couldn't see the lines)
- Narrow beach, not much room (may beaches along the Bay are eroding due to sea level changes).
I assumed that there was a small hole in the bladder from the first crash, but I pumped up the kite later at home and it was fine. So I didn't tighten the valve properly (In a hurry to launch).
The wind dropped a bit so I switched to my 10m kite and had an enjoyable session in the waves and was feeling much better for it.
I used a chest harness for the Gopro. It works well and the camera is easy to adjust and turn on and off.
I am very glad to read your awesome blog on kitesurfing.
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