Another unfortunate accident has occurred with a large kitesurfing foil. This time a good samaritan went to the aid of a kite surfer in difficulty and wound up with some serious injuries. Grabbing the kite in an effort to help the kitesurfer, the concerned helper got picked up and carried three quarters of a mile (over 1 km) in 40 mph winds before being dropped on some jagged rocks.
Stories like these constantly remind me of the power of the wind and the skill needed to handle large kites.
Kite surf rescuer hung on for dear life. Abby Alford, South Wales Echo, Nov. 8, 2005
A good Samaritan who raced to the aid of a stricken kite surfer sparked a major emergency when winds of up to 40mph blew both her and the kite away.
The 27-year-old was swept up and dragged and lifted for three quarters of a mile across the popular beauty spot of Rest Bay in Porthcawl.
Then, to the horror of her boyfriend, she dropped from the kite and landed on jagged rocks in the next beach along the coastline, leaving her with potentially serious injuries.
Coastguards, paramedics, the police and the South Wales air ambulance were called to the surfing hotspot yesterday afternoon.
Spectators and kiters alike are always awed by the large kites and traction displays at kite festivals. However, experienced kiters know there is real responsibility to be exercised in flying these very special and very powerful kites. It serves as a reminder to me to always stake out large stationary kites prior to launch. A different set of safety precautions is necessary for the mobile traction kites on land, water and snow/ice.