Kitesurfer dragged along beach
KITESURFERS are being warned not to put their lives in danger after a man was dragged along the beach and badly injured.
The safety message comes as the 34-year-old is recovering in hospital after breaking numerous ribs and suffering kidney damage following a freak accident on Hayling, last month.
The man was standing on the beach with the kite over his head waiting for conditions in the sea to improve.
But a gust of wind lifted him off his feet and sent him hurling into the steep-faced shingle beach.
Chris Bull, chairman of Hayling Island Kitesurfing Association, said the man's helmet probably saved his life.
He urged the thousands of people who come to Hayling every year to enjoy the sport to take the kite down if they are waiting on the beach.
He said: "It was a very unfortunate accident. But it's a reminder that this is a water sport, not a land sport.
"The whole reason this happened was him flying the kite on the beach. He should have come in and put it down.
"The last place you want to be is standing on the beach with a huge kite over your head.
"Being pulled along the water at 10mph is fine, but being pulled a long the beach at 10mph isn't.
"The good thing is that he was wearing a helmet and a buoyancy aid. If he was not wearing those I'm sure it would have been a very serious accident."
The man, who is not from the Island, was airlifted to Queen Alexandra Hospital by helicopter at about 1.30pm on May 17.
It was initially believed he had a spinal injury, but he escaped the accident with several fractured ribs.
Mr Bull said enthusiasts should check on the weather conditions before travelling to the Island.
He said: "It's no more dangerous than anything else. I have never hurt myself.
"Why? Because if you know the conditions and have the right equipment, it's safe."
He added: "If you want to fly a kite on the beach, stick to the little kites."
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Weather for Hayling
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
