I spoke with one of the kiters involved in the incident earlier today and got his accounting of what happened, and it was very similar to Chris Krug's blog that martoon posted a link to. He said they had checked ice thickness in multiple places and fisherman were out. After they had been out quite a while he was skiing along and heard a strange sound and slowed to listen and couldn't hear it as loud but looked back to see the ice moving in a gentle wave motion - turned to head in and got 10 feet and went through. Got caught in all the sharp shards of candlestick ice, tried flying the kite to get dragged toward shore until the lines went slack and the kite fell. A guy came out to try and relaunch his kite and he went in. Another friend of his was heading over that direction to assist and got into the same candlestick ice and went in - he wasn't aware of the other friend (4th person0 that was further away that had also gone in - he is the one in serious condition.

I do not in any way agree with their decisions made to go out on the ice. I'm so glad this didn't go far worse than it already was and hope that all recover healthy and safe. Watching the news, I saw fisherman out on the ice again in the same areas today.

I'm not terribly concerned on the impact of this to the kiting population in general.
We have a saying up north "How do you know that ice is safe? When the tourists from toronto stop falling though."

Snowmobilers fall through the ice many times a year. No ones banned it yet.

When you hurt yourself no one really cares. What we gotta be concerned with as a community is preventing some newbie or some hot shot from screwing up and slicing some kid up with his lines at the beach.

That and the space we occupy, when we commandeer an entire beach, people get pissed off and complain.

When they pull 4 idiots out of the ice when it's been 20C all week people just laugh at how those guys got what they had coming.

I don't personally feel statements need to be released, but for sure if any mainstream media wanted to reach the OKA for comment it would be easily done (through OKA website, etc).

I think a greater discussion is needed on what further damage this situation may do for the cause of returning kiteboarding to the Keswick area. And what actions should be taken to limit the damage.

Matt

Matt I doubt that any main stream media is aware the OKA exists. You guys do seem to keep a low profile from what I have seen so far. Petey has a valid point, damage control is nessary but being proactive would IMHO be a good course of action especialy when it aligns with your own mission statement.

Sincerely
Pete

Laughingman wrote:

QUOTE:
Matt I doubt that any main stream media is aware the OKA exists.

Especially since the general public and media keeps referring to the sport as parasurfing and ice surfing...doubt they'd even be looking for the Ontario Kiteboarding Association for comment.

OKA releasing a statement to the media could have an effect, but the media would have to release it. And because the sport is small, and the events a few days past, it is unlikely to have a positive effect or airtime.

That being said, no action could have worse effects..

As we all know, Rene-kite (hope i got the name right), and IKO member who was assigned to be the Canadian Rep, sent a video to our government in hopes to get certification mandatory for our sport. An attempt strongly talked about within our community...
The recent negative publicity for our sport could give strength to his cause with strong examples of what can go wrong when people are not properly trained in the sport and the observations of the conditions.

In my opinion, a proactive statement is better then no statement at all. After this unfortunate event, the OKA could have sent out a statement to the media even if it fell on deaf ears. This in turn could have given the media a heads up about the OKA, who they represent and if any other incidents were to occur, the media would know who to contact on behalf of the community.

krazykanuck wrote:

QUOTE:
The recent negative publicity for our sport could give strength to his cause with strong examples of what can go wrong when people are not properly trained in the sport and the observations of the conditions.

I'm not going to begin to speak for anyone involved but I will tell you that at least two have been involved in winter kiting for over 20 years now and the third at least 5-10 years as far as I know. And before that they have all had many years experience on Simcoe with things other than kites (sails etc) so they were not at all inexperienced or untrained.

Again I don't want to begin to speak for any and involved. From a winter and land traction kite perspective I do know dozens of kiters (long time and fairly new) that have absolutely no idea what OKA is or have even heard of it and feel they have absolutely no relationship with the organization what so ever.

krazykanuck wrote:

QUOTE:
. . . and the observations of the conditions.

Experienced kiters have been known to make mistakes. Everyone remembers our favourite Florida Kiteboarder from last year...

Experienced or not, they didnt fully observe the conditions they went out on and luckily avoided tragedy..


As for not knowing and having no relationship with OKA. I can see how. OKA from what i have observed is based out of the GTA. Some kiters i have talked to outside of the GTA have no idea about it.

I agree 100%.
And even no matter how experienced and prepared etc in any sport or activity sometimes things happen. But there is a big difference between knowing the potential dangers before and opting out vs going for it.

They may have avoided death, but tragedy not so sure, the lives risked and money spent on these few "IceSurfers" I'm sure is absorbent. The fact they were out on ice after a full week of +10 is bordering on suicidal, extreme stupidity or both. These 4 riders have put a stain on every "icesurfer", as a community we should not support this behaviour period. If that means making a statement to the press than do it! The people that put their lives at risk to keep us safe deserve better, what if one of them drowned trying to save one of these "experience kiters"? It's easy to say no harm no fowl when luck was on your side, what about next time?
As far as the OKA is concerned.... I feel that you as a representative of the majority of Ontario kiters should be compelled to offer a statement which reflects the mission of the OKA. I certainly do not want to be lumped in with the bad choices a few have made. Accidents happen, but most of us have enough common sense as outdoors men/women, so that our actions do not endanger rescue workers. A statement to the media could do well to educate the public and remind them that accidents do happen not only to "icesurfers" but also to snow mobilers, ice fishermen, and other outdoors people in general.
I don't mean to ruffle feathers, but I have to call it like I see it.... "lead, follow or get the f out of the way...." words to live by.


Sincerely

Pete




krazykanuck wrote:

QUOTE:
krazykanuck wrote:

QUOTE:
. . . and the observations of the conditions.

Experienced kiters have been known to make mistakes. Everyone remembers our favourite Florida Kiteboarder from last year...

Experienced or not, they didnt fully observe the conditions they went out on and luckily avoided tragedy..


As for not knowing and having no relationship with OKA. I can see how. OKA from what i have observed is based out of the GTA. Some kiters i have talked to outside of the GTA have no idea about it.

My 2 cents worth......

I don't see a relationship between this unfortunate incident and an effect on the ban at Keswick's Glenwoods park. The reason I say that is my understanding of the issues at Glenwoods were

1. Kiters taking over all the park with all their kiting gear so the locals could not use the park as a playground contrary to posted kiting guidelines.
2. The issues with parking at the park and surrounding streets from people that were kiting.

End of 2 cents.

QUOTE:

My 2 cents worth......

I don't see a relationship between this unfortunate incident and an effect on the ban at Keswick's Glenwoods park. The reason I say that is my understanding of the issues at Glenwoods were

1. Kiters taking over all the park with all their kiting gear so the locals could not use the park as a playground contrary to posted kiting guidelines.
2. The issues with parking at the park and surrounding streets from people that were kiting.

mobettah

QUOTE:

So, where did they park? I am quite sure it was not on the ice.
On the lighter note; I am wondering did they have to wait in the emergency room of the hospital for hours (which would give them a good chance to thaw a bit) or were they admited rigth away?

Rick Lossi just broke it on kiteforum

Hope very much all involved recover well.

Astounded at the stupidity. Same goes for guys getting in the water at this point in the season. Some nut was already out in Kingston. Not a place for cold water risk taking. Its deep, side shore with current and not way in but to swim.

A note of caution to all those that push the envelope in cold stuff. Don't do it where you are sure to set an example. If your gung ho to get out there, do it some place like Sandbanks where no one is gonna see you and your going to be in shallow water and your going to wash in directly. Doesn't matter if you have a drysuit stuffed with down. Cold is cold and kiting can lead to swimming regardless of how good you are.

Thought this shit went without saying, but I guess not.

Your Grampa Joe

P.S. And by all means, keep a lid on this shiz. Not that 100 or so folk in the wick aren't already convinced kiters are retarded. The nuts reflect on us all.

Does anyone know with respect to these 4 guys, how many of them also kiteboard (meaning on water)?

All?
None?