Kiting Into Squalls

[ricki]

Kiting in squalls is a very bad idea and will lead to damaged gear, injured riders, death and threats to access over time.

* You never know how strong and erratic the winds will be in a squall. It may just die or could boost to 30 to 40 to 50 to 60 kts. +, violently change directions and frequently several of the above. Nor do you know how far away from the squall dangerous winds may set in.

* Powerful squalls happen in many, most parts of the world and have severely injured riders in places like France, Spain, Mauritius, Canada, Germany, Okinawa, Connecticut, Utah, Florida, Belize, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Korea, New Zealand and many more. It is a global issue, of importance to ALL kiteboarders.

* Riders frequently fail to successfully depower their kites once lofted in squall gusts. Assuming that you will do so successfully and come out unscathed along with your gear and bystanders is a poor bet.

* In many areas and conditions, although not all, avoiding squalls is fairly EASY. Squalls are a substantial hazard to kiters mainly because we allow it to be so through ignorance and indifference.

* One of the largest bans in the USA was supported in part by the death of a very experienced kiter in excessively gusty onshore conditions in a nearby but outside area.

* Competent kiters MUST know weather, what to look for, what to avoid, internet resources including how and when to react at the launch area.