DC 7/5/08 Microbursting with fun!

[Mark Johnson]

I was sitting home and checked the cam at Dc and could see kiter out riding, so I headed out. When I arrived there were many kites pumped but no one riding. I figured it was typical DC fifteen minute lull fifteen minute blow pattern so I rigged up. Got on the water with barley enough wind to keep the kite in the air, even Hindenburg a couple of times. Got my lines straightened out just as it picked up and started to ride the off and on wind. It got better each time it would blow again. Then Noticing the big bad cloud I new it could get ugly, but by this time I have nice power and getting a good ride. This would be the best time to switch my leash from the chicken loop to the flag out loop, but I didn't. I did have sense enough to unhook my board leash. Then I started in for shore. I could see it getting congested with the other kites also heading in so I turned back out away from shore. Then just as I got out away all SHIT Hit THE FAN. I had seen the huge dust cloud hit Island Beach and now was getting the massive TEA BAGGING GUST. I tried to hold it steady for a bit then after ditching my board and my second out of the water bagging, I put the kite to the water and went for the flagging strap. I didn't get that far, as I reached for it I saw the kite start to lift and ended up pulling the chicken loop release instead. This would have been good but I was still leashed at the CL and now with the bar out of my hand I was getting the yank of my life up out of the water then at high speed across the water. Luckily I was able while skimming across the water to pull the release on the leash and let the whole thing go. Now swimming toward the kite with no chance of catching it, I was able to flag down a boat. I had them tow me with the 2 people they had behind the boat on a tube to my kite and was able to grab it before it hit the shore. Then they were able to go back out and retrieve my board. Thanks so much boat people! After walking back to the launch area I was glad to see everyone had made it out alive because out of the corner of my eye I had seen someone's kite spinning into shore. That's it! and the moral of the story is, If you are crazy enough to go out in these summer winds, then have your kite leashed to the proper spot and put it down in the water at first sight of overpowered conditions! Waiting a second might be a second to late! This was by far the scariest moment I have had while kiting! I wonder what the wind meters were reading at this time?

[Ralph Morrison]

Thanks for telling your story Mark. I'm glad you're alright.

[JimSouthwick]

The peak gust recorded by my home weather station in Charleston (about 2km Northeast of the Island) was 45 MPH.

[Mark Johnson]

Thanks Jim for the info!

[David Kyle]

Very true, sure I knew where my flagout was but did I exicute properly "NO". When I saw Sailboat Beach explode in a ball of dust I knew something was coming.
Parked my ass over in the cove, grabbed flagout loop and chicken loop with other hand then pulled both. WOW the flagout out really does some bad shit if you miss the chicken loop
safety. Well, glad I didnt kill anyone with my kite while I was fumble f@%#$!* around with my safety equipment. I may not kite for shit but next time I know, no really, "I KNOW" what to do.

[JimSouthwick]

Here's what the chart looked like: http://homepage.mac.com/jsouthwick/PhotoAlbum102.html

[Constance Mallula]

I must say it was quite the exciting first day!!!

I am so glad Mark is fine and dandy. I told ya'll yesterday, but I will say it here. I was super impressed with the team effort made when the storm hit. Everyone rallied together, to help eachother. All eyes were on Mark, for sure. But all made sure the rest were cool. It was a good lesson to see right off. Mother Nature has the last word.

Bordy you are awesome. What a great teacher. And thanks guYs for the warm welcome! You guys Rock!!! Hope to see you agian today.

[bordy]

Jim thanks for the info from your station, i was going to ask you for it also!

It was a narly gust that came in and had its way with everyone. Jason Morton saw it coming, first. and the rest of us scrambled to do the right things. ( I was heading out on a 9 and turned right around and came back in). I had already pulled my students Constance, and Reed off the water for fear of such a gust. I think the lesson we should have learned is when we see storm clouds its time to bull sheoot on the beach intill they have passed. Lesson learned, for several of us. Mark did a great time considering he was hoovering under his 13 in 40-45mph wind. It was enough wind to blow kites that didn't have weight on them right off the beach.(Sorry Spencer).

BB

[MikE mAy]

glad to hear you are all fine. i've seen clouds like that approachign before and i'm usually the guy to start getign nervous. when i heard Jason getting nervous i knew somethign hairy was proabably was coming. sorry i had to bail on you guys before the fun started. i was home in just enough time for my obligations.

i think this was a valuable lesson for everyone and i think Mark's comments about switching your safety from your chicken loop to your "oh shit" ring is valuable advice. i've released to suide before only to have my slight, and very slight difference in line lengths cause a death spiral which will only amplify the gusts or situation where you release to safety anyway. all teh cool kids may have their leashes hooked to suicide, but when shit hits the fan- know which safety you are releasing to and how you are going to do it...

glad to hear everyone is cool though.

on a side note, looks like we may have been off on our thunderhead observations down at utah lake. anyone have Arpi's number for a local read in the future?

[salvador]

I SO GLAD YOU ARE OK MARK ,,,
AZTEC

[Josh Shirley]

Jim and I were talking in his front yard when the gust hit his house. I thought the pine tree was going to fall over. I immediately thought, I hope the kiters are ok.

Either Mark or Jacob has a blast horn that I gave them for the race. Maybe you could use that to warn people next time, one ultra long blast to get the riders attention. I am sure you were all thinking how do we tell Mark that death is about to toss him. Maybe you could use the blasting horn. Just a thought.