Young Pro Kiter Lofted Into Rocks
 

"16 Year old Pro Kiteboarder Narrowly escapes Death when his kite launches him into a sea wall, across a boardwalk and wedged him between 2 cars!!

http://dirtyhabits.org/wp-content/up...n--580x408.png

Last week Dean Kaplan, a local Cape Town Kiteboarder, went from having a fun freestyle session in the Milnerton Lagoon to waking up in a ambulance, in a matter of seconds!
In 2009 this exact spot claimed the life of a 38 year old fellow kitesurfer in a fatal accident.
When we hear horror stories like this, we all think it’s just another beginner who is riding in conditions or a location not suited to their abilities, but when a friend who’s pulling off some technical freestyle tricks at his home spot, lands up unconcious and covered in blood in the car park, it makes one think."

Continued at:
http://dirtyhabits.org/16-year-old-p...ting-sea-wall/

One of the comments at the end of the article stated: "Where Dean kited its only 10m away from the rocks and cars…"

This happens all too often when kiters perform tricks upwind and close to the beach or other obstacles. Anything can happen that could put us and others in danger along with the possiblity of losing our access.

http://fol.org.za/wordpress/wp-conte...goon_beach.jpg
The lagoon extends northward from the inlet. I understand the wind can be excessively gusty with pronounced lulls with wind from some directions. Looks like lots of potential wind shadow impacts from the buildings and shoreside features.
feed://fol.org.za/category/environment/feed/


Good point Jake, guys showing off too close to shore have caused lots of problems both for themselves and for access. Here are a couple of the comments you mentioned:

"Ettienne says:
September 14, 2011 at 9:21 am
Have to agree with James. If you stay clear of the hard stuff downwind of you then you’ll be o.k.

Milnerton has a great mouth with flat sections for the freestylers, the risk is inside the lagoon. Where Dean kited its only 10m away from the rocks and cars…

Just glad to hear Dean’s o.k."

and

"craig says:
September 19, 2011 at 9:01 am
I think all that is needed is a little common sense! I live facing the lagoon… and there are some real knobs! Okes jump in the lagoon (not the ocean) landing 2m away from the sea wall. I could list tons of stupid things that kiters do while in the lagoon!

The lagoon isn’t dangerous its how you ride in it- just saying! If you want to jump and show off your skills to wang thai- don’t be sad face when on the 100th time you end up eating some cement."

I wonder why the interview didn't go into these points? Distance is your friend in kiting (for access too).