** Kitemare @ Lincoln ** Please Read

[Dave Birkbeck]

Before I explain my AWFUL experience today...I want to thank everyone for making me feel comfortable during what was a very traumatic situation. Regan and Tommie?...you were great!

Here it is...

I think that I'm pretty safe...I think I know what I'm doing...but downwind of this launch is hard...gravel...rocks...broken glass...you name it. It's kinda freakin me out. What if something goes wrong during the launch? Nah...It's fine...what could go wrong...? I've launched this kite a thousand times. I've got some pretty good experience and a great depowerable kite. I've kited at this spot at least twenty days. I've been doing this for years...I'll be fine. It seems a bit gusty...but it's North wind...how bad could it be? If these thoughts sound familiar...listen up!

Today was one of...if not the scariest days of my life...! It all happened so damn fast that I'm still completely shocked. One second I was launching and the next second I was getting dragged...lofted and whatever across the the so called beach. I absolutely can not get the picture out of my head. It was AWFUL...!

As I was launching and bringing my kite up it all of a sudden seemed as though I had zero control over the steering. I watched it as it took a hard right and dove into the power downwind of me. That's when I knew that things were going to be very bad very soon. I felt like I was going 50mph in a split second. What the hell happened? Rear line tangled around the strut...? Marty didn't think that was the cause. Was it a gust with a big lull..? Was something caught in one of the lines causing it to dive? Did I try too hard to get control...causing more power...? Whatever the hell it was...it was fu@#$@ing terrifying and I feel lucky to be alive...! If I didn't hit that small embankment...stopping me for that split second and allowing me to pull the safety...well...I don't know.

Damage Report: At this point I might not even have any broken bones...WOW! They couldn't determine if the wrist was broken or not. Time will tell. The road rash is pretty brutal...but whatever. If I wasn't wearing my dorky helmut...I most likely wouldn't typing this message.

One final note. I know that we have all been getting complacent about launching way up on the grass at Lincoln and walking our kites out past our cars, pavement and gravel beach...I've done it myself a couple times in the last few weeks in lighter wind. Usually...we're spoiled with very smooth N wind and that gives us a false sense of security. We're asking for it! If I launched from the grass today and the same thing happened...I would most likely be dead. Sorry to be so morbid...but I dodged a bullet today and I don't want anyone else to go through what I went through.

Peace...!

Birkbeck

[Jon Manwaring]

Dave,
Really glad you're OK. I've also had my share of 'kitemares' it's amazing how fast it hits the fan. I hope we all learn something from this. Helmets do work, pay attention to the details, just last week I was launching someone, and he could not seem to get the kite to fly right, finally we noticed front and rear lines reversed on one side, this was both an experienced launcher and kiter, so it can happen to anyone. I also feel we all are getting a little to complacent at Lincoln, I self landed my kite while standing between two parked cars last week, not a lot of room for error.
Kiting is such a great rush (no pun intended) let's not forget to pay attention , and always put safety first.
Jon Mzee

[Kenny]

It is a good wakeup call!!! Dave, I am glad that you are okay.

We need to be launching our kites right at the edge of the water with the kite pointed towards the water, so if something goes wrong the rider is getting dragged across the water instead of into fixed objects (i.e. cars).

Glad to hear that Dave was wearing his helmet.

I have been somewhat militant about safety in the past, but I recognize that no one likes a cop and I am not your mama. I think it would be cool if we all wore helmets all of the time, but hey, it is your individual choice. Just remember that you set an example for new riders. I compare not wearing a helmet kiteboarding to not wearing one while mountain biking. I haven't fallen on my mountain bike in years, yet I always wear a helmet. I realize that it only takes one fall. Same thing goes for kiteboarding. It just takes one impact and you are out cold. Just ask Derek.

It can hit the fan so fast...

[lesvierra]

I had the exact same thing happen to me last year except I didnt get drug on a rocky beach. The off shore wind drug me straight into the water. I had to time my breaths between accelerations and was finally able to release after the kite stopped momentarily on the water. I also, couldnt figure out what happened. I even checked my lines afterwards, things looked normal. I think it was my OSR that was slack from my bar and got tangled when launching. I cant image getting drug on the beach.

Kitemares are bad for sure, but it is good to have them repeatedly brought to our attention so that we can TRY to avoid them. So thanks for sharing your experience.

I dont care who you are or what your skill level, the probability of a kitemare happening to you is relativley high, especially with time. We dont always have the luxury of side shore wind and sandy beaches free of obtacles, but we do have to feed the addiction with what we do have.

Accidents like Dave's will continue to happen because of human error and/or bad luck, no way around it. Do the obvious, wear a helmet and record and evaluate downwind objects, elimate them if you can, and provide an adequate buffer zone. I think if Dave hit something solid like a rock, tree, or car, the outcome would have been different.

Just a note, the summer games event at Deer Creek had way to many downwind obstacles. Poles, sail boats, masts. Also, adults and children that were not aware of the risks of being around kiters. Think about it if this had happened last weekend and share ideas in later posts how to make the next kite race safer.

[jason morton]

Dave-
I'm really glad you are ok. I've get a sick feeling in my stomach just thinking about it. I am always available to walk out into the bay and launch kites there. We should always be doing that. It takes extra time but is well worth it. Heal fast.

[Mark Johnson]

Glad you are allright Dave. Hope to see ya out on the water soon.

[Dave Birkbeck]

I want to thank everyone for the calls, emails and replies to this post. Let's all stay safe out there.

Thanks for the support...!

Dave

[RickHeninger]

I AGREE!!!

HELMETS HELMETS HELMETS

Way to go Dave for having a helmet on!!!

Glad to hear you are relatively ok...