Bron: Toby van kiteforum.com
I’m deeply shocked.
Yesterday a German kiter died after he lost control and hit rocks.
More details will follow, Rick Iossi will try to get as much details for the database as possible and state them in here.
I know a bit, but have to wait for exact details.
All I know is that I warned on the German board not to go out on the weekend due to forecasted heavy gusts (the max reached 76 knots!!!).
Many good riders didn’t go out, but unfortunately some did.
From what I heard the conditions and the choosen beach should have never been launched from. I hope the details will show us more what kind of no-no situation it was.
Now this is the second fatality in Germany. The whole scene is shocked and discussions are starting.
It looks like we always need a fatality do see and learn what can wrong.
First it was Silke Gorldt in 2002, which started the discussions about safety systems.
Now we already have good working safety systems,but what does it help if we are not ready to act and ride safe? Safety also has to be in our brain, and that is the most important we ever can have:”Distance is your friend”. Always keep this in mind when you are on the water, then you will see you will start to ride much safer with more distance. This can be life saving.
We also should forget about days which are not worth it, even if we are hot, specially at the beginning of the season, which is about to start in Germany. Why die on a bad day when we can have tons of great day in the future? Always keep this in mind!
Never forget as well: listen to people at the beach, listen to your friends.
If someone comes up to you and is concerned about your safety, pay attention to what they say, since they have a reason. And guys, make sure to stop your friends and other kiters to go out in bad conditions. It is much better if that person is angry with you instead of you see them dying….
Be safe now, it starts in your brain, since you never should rely on any safety system!
My deepest concolences.
Toby
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