To be, or not to be. The contemplation of existence is journey that everyone at some point and in their own way will take. Much like choosing to wear a helmet or not. Although not as deep and meaningful as Hamlet’s situation, it is certainly an important decision that we think all kiters and wingers should take time to think about.
I do not recall wearing a helmet when I first started kiting. As I progressed, I know I didn’t. I look back at pictures and videos and there I was without. Several years ago, I was asked by a student (plainly and out of curiosity not judgement) – why I didn’t wear a helmet. I had no good answer, other than habit.
Our thoughts on helmets. It’s a choice for sure and a lot of people choose not to wear one. Admittedly, I will have helmetless sessions, but they are becoming few and far between. Instead of weighing the pros and cons, I go to worst case scenario and the freak once in a lifetime accident possibility. Am I willing to accept the worst possible outcome of not wearing a helmet?
I have two memorable experiences in my kiting journey that I wish I had a helmet on. Back in 2010 I was here trying to get a kite in the air and somehow ended up in a hot launch situation where the kite shot straight up at breakneck speed and snatched me forward so fast that I could not run fast enough to keep up. I tripped and rolled and tumbled 10+ meters in the rocks and sand. There is a video, in it you hear me say before hot launch – “Don’t worry, I saw this on the Internet” – what follows should be on and episode Ridiculousness.
The second time was years later. I was here kiting alone, taking a break with the kite in the air standing in my board on the wet sand. The board suctioned to the sand, and I lost track of the kite that drifted to the edge of the wind window and a gust lurched me sideways. My head hit the sand so hard I nearly passed out. Had I been knocked out, I could have easily drowned before anyone noticed me.
Today you’ll see me out there wearing my trusty Mystic MK8 or Vandal or previous model out there. My better half Kathleen has a variety of helmets she wears. Her favorite is a soft sided impact surf helmet because it’s light, flexible, warm, and conforms to the shape of her head better than rigid hard helmets. You can see her on the water wearing her Olaian Decathlon Surf Helmet for every session without fail.
