Utah Windriders Association

OK, so I had a three inch screw taken out of my ankle on Tuesday. I was in physical therapy this morning, and when I got home around 7:45pm from work, I just HAD to bust out the trainer kite next to some soccer fields. At one point, the kite collapsed on itself, and refilled in a loop. Not knowing how my ankle would hold up, I just watched the kite fly several hundred feet with the handle. Then I got it back and went without incident for about 30 minutes. If you were on Deer Creek this evening, it must have been insane. My 2.5 m trainer probably would have towed me on a surfboard.

Incidentally, I did tow behind a jetski on a 6'8" surfboard on Sunday. I don't know how people kite strapless, It took me about 8 attempts to get up on the surf board with a tow rope. Maybe 10 minutes total upright on pretty smooth water, and the ankle wasn't bothered too badly. Maybe this counts as rehab?

Doc says no kiting until November, but you never know

Chris,

Glad to hear you are on your way back. I don't see why your doctor would allow you to surf behind a boat, but not go kiteboard???

Kiting strapless is much easier than trying to ride a surfboard in a boat's wake. You just ride a bit underpowered and keep your speed under control. As long as you don't try to jump, you will find it to be fairly straight forward. Jumping strapless on the other hand is a true artform that takes a ton of practice.

Kenny

loco pinche kiter. be carefull hombre. good to see you are recovering.

Kenny, Todd

It's funny. I certainly have not been "released" to tow behind a jet ski, but I am supposed to push things a wee bit in a controlled environment like physical therapy. If pain goes away and does not linger, I'm good to go, and in theory am making progress. If pain increases after activity, then I have gone too far, and if it hurts more the next day, then I know that I did something really stupid.

So far, I would like to think that all of my activities have produced a benefit for my range of motion. PT has been waaay more painful than climbing in the gym (no weight on left leg - 3 weeks after surgery #1) cycling (at 50% weight bearing 7 weeks after surgery #1) or boarding for 10 min behind a jet ski (at 10 weeks after full weight bearing for 10 days). The jet ski gave me an environment that was relatively controlled - no worry of gusts, no need to edge super hard to get upwind, and pretty flat water. Entry, as opposed to launching, was in liquid, and at a moments notice I could immediately flop off of the board into water.

I'm thinking back to when I was launching a few times at Deer Creek last summer, and the forward pull associated with a gust of wind while trying to keep the kite up. I remember being pulled forward about five steps a few times, and THAT, right now freaks me out more than actually kiting on the water. My doc associates kiteboarding with full recovery, assuming I think, that kiting means jumping and hard landings. He's super conservative, and probably afraid of lawsuits. So I think that's why he said November even without looking at my ankle or progress.

I don't really see myself on the water for at least another month, but I'm having a great time observing my progress. Which is hilarious, cause like you guys know, there are so many little victories that only the injured person notices, but I DO see them almost every day. Today has been a great day. I think I'll fly the trainer again tonight. When I do get out on the water, it will be strapless for a while no doubt. Until then, go get crazy for me!

loco pinche kiter!!!!! bueno trabjo amigo....