Just wanted to share my bad kiting experience. I've been kiting for about 5 years and generally I am carefully to stay within the boundaries of my expertise. The photo is the result of a late afternoon session off Toms. Launched off wave, crashed kite in impact zone, got caught inside, wore wave on head, almost relaunched kite but not quite, wave hits kite!

I am dragged underwater like a rag doll, time slows down.... Still being dragged..... And still more....start to realise that I am in deep ****! OK reach for quick release... Pop... Slight slown down but still being dragged...head comes to surface...reach down an I am able to unhook....then unclip and throw the bar. Kite now on reef, lines tangled on rocks, kite starting to shred.

I swim to the bar and attempt to swim toward the kite expecting that I might somehow save the situation(yea right) I start to get tangled in the lines..really tangled... Ditch the bar again and try to free lines from my harness and feet..not really working...waves crashing over me...starting to panic a little when finally I am clear.

Now I begin to climb on the reef and save myself, once I am on top I manage to free the kite lines and it sort of blows on to the beach. I drag it clear and look for my board. Realising that i have just blown a grand $$$$ I briefly consider diving back in to swim out and save the board and decide that maybe I best not risk it.

Fortunately the board is being washed toward the shore. It eventually arrives. I am now in a position to assess the damage. Kite? Completely rooted! Board safe. Kiter? Alive, toe missing large chunk of flesh, cuts, bruises, and embarrassed. I roll up what is left of the kite, (amazingly it is still inflated), and drag my sorry arse back to the car. What a major f- up!

Point of the story.
I was impressed that in the heat of the moment I was able to initiate the quick release. This was because I practise it almost every time I set up. Know your kites safety system and practise using it.

Always kite within your means and allow plenty of room for error. Looking back I was an idiot to kite there. Although I rarely crash the kite, once I did I was always going to be in big trouble, and quickly.

Finally, I was kiting alone so no one came to my aid at any stage. Don't kite alone and always help out other kiters if they are in trouble.

I hope my tale of woe reminds you all of the importance of safe kiting.

I start 2 weeks of holidays tomorrow. No kite to go kiting, toe too sore to walk anyway. Breeze is blowing beautifully and forecast is excellent! What a hard lesson to learn.

If only I.........&!^%#& )&*!#! not