How do you stay sane when injury keeps you off the water?

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Well it's been over 3 months since I did my knees. Luckily I can get back on the water riding surf. But my poor old knees still can't handle the flat water punishment I enjoy so much!

My problem is.... after sitting off the water for 2 months, and only riding unstrapped surf for the past month (total 3 sessions), the wind is always offshore and wicked for flatwater! thus I feel the wind build, see the trees move and an overwhelming anger fills my soul. I would love to kill some innocent bystander but something about looking at the suit and tie reminds that their punishment is far worse than mine, and I execute the last thread of my self control.

how does/ do/ have/ has...everyone else deal with being forced off the water due to injury?

Is it possible to keep your sanity? and can I expect to stay out of Jail? I am beginning to wonder if martin bryant or ivan milat were just mis-understood injured kiters who were pushed over the edge of insanity by the torment of perfect wind and an ill-equipped body.

I can only work for so long before these northerlies drive me insane! I'm sure the gusts are calling my name, taunting me, and demanding that I pull out my 7m and throw down a powered loop, knowing full well that my frail body will fail in its futile attempt to absorb the forces delivered by such actions. I am only now becoming aware of the vindictive nature of our fickle mistress, the wind. She demands our full attention, expects our immediate response, and is unforgiving to any sign of physical weakness.

From my current work site I can not only feel every puff of wind but can see perfect butter flat water with no kites out! Please save me from my own demise. I am hanging onto my sanity (?) by a mere thread. I need your help! or at least the name of a good lawer.

cheers

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[Goz]

Take up kite buggying in the meantime it will strengthen those knees and legs back up quick enough

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Take up kite buggying in the meantime it will strengthen those knees and legs back up quick enough

Now there's something I really hadn't considered. Might be well worth a look.

Tried the landboard, but way worse on the knees than water based stuff.

always found looking at the speed of buggies attractive. But my lack of storage and abundance of toys have made this prohibitive. Might just have the excuse I've needed. Thanks Goz!

[budha]

i broke my wrist a wile back, i just learnt to ride 1 handed but that doesnt help you much

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i broke my wrist a wile back, i just learnt to ride 1 handed but that doesnt help you much

there maybe method in your madness!

Maybe I could learn to ride on my hands!

at this point in time anythings worth a try

cheers

[Morandi]

I have three fractures - both above and below the knee plus some actual knee damage. I cant believe how a momentary lack of concentration landing a jump [hey it was big ] could break my heart, patience and bones in one second and mean I dont get back on the water for another 7,776,000 seconds - yes I am counting them !

Solution: I am thinking about knitting a board cover over winter. Good luck with your recovery.

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I have three fractures - both above and below the knee plus some actual knee damage. I cant believe how a momentary lack of concentration landing a jump [hey it was big ] could break my heart, patience and bones in one second and mean I dont get back on the water for another 7,776,000 seconds - yes I am counting them !

Solution: I am thinking about knitting a board cover over winter. Good luck with your recovery.

Wow, 90 days off (if my calculations are correct), Hope you get better real soon.

Sounds like you have done some real damage. Mine was only tendons. Bones sound much worse. I hope your on the water/land real soon. It's the torment of good wind that drives me mad and I feel your pain. Hope we can share some good winds again soon! hang in there buddy!

cheers

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ps. is it a kiting injury?

[tookie]

I snapped a ligament in my ankle been on the water twice in 5 months,started taking photos down the beach but that just made me want to kite more.Concentrate on getting fitter so your body is ready for action when you get back,easy just to sit on the couch when you are injured,your lucky you can still fly and get out there.Im 35 and i have realised my body does not recover like it used to.Anyway good luck with getting better ligaments are slow to heal so go easy.think how good next summer is going to be.later rob.

[plummet]

i'm going in for an operation for a new ligament in my wrist on monday. cast for 2 months. its winter and wont be able to fit my cast into my wet suit.... so no water for me for 2 months.

but i will bust out some one armed light wind landboarding. if there is such a thing of light wind land boarding in winter.

yeah the buggying idea is an option for you.

or you could throw yourself into design and build mode. make yourself some fruity boards.

on a side note i need some flat water. i want to go fast. i''ve only got swell and chop here. maybe an occasionaly bit of flat in between the white wash.

[Spartan]

Well Fav, I feel so sorry for you, I know exactly what your going through buddy.

After being out of action for 4 months for my back and then the broken arm for 2 months, it drove me nuts with being out of action.

All I did was sit in an arm chair and surf with the Kelly Slatter game on the play station.

You're in a dream spot there in Torque mate, Ive been surfing there for 25 years, and now that I kite surf I'd love to get down there to try it with the wave action.

[just some kitin' girl]

Is it possible to keep your sanity?

cheers

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Can't lose what ya never had in the first place.....

[RALKITE]

Can't lose what ya never had in the first place.....

You know Fav pretty well, then!

[fav]

You know Fav pretty well, then!

My therapist says not to listen to the voices, even if they are in print.

cheers

[fav]

well, i knew i wouldn't be alone in the injury stakes, but was surprised by how many of you are/have spent time off the water. I really appreciate all the positive feedback out there and have made an effort to use my off time productively.

I have undertaken a non-kiting project to distract and amuse, in the form of building a pizza oven in my backyard. Hopefully this project will keep me entertained and eventually provide an after kiting mecca, producing some wicked wood oven pizza's (obviously accompanied by some noice cold beers), around which stories of the days kiting can be shared with family and friends.

Here's the start.

obviously a long way to go, this is just the setup for sides and suspended slab to support the pizza oven.

Hopefully by the time its finished I'll be back on the flat water looping to my hearts content.

For those that have been forced off the water or land I wish you all a speedy recovery.

cheers

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[Morandi]

I still think my idea fo knitting a board-cover is good, but yer I guess warm pizza is OK. Only three more weeks to go before I am back to 'recover' kite flying

[Spartan]

I have undertaken a non-kiting project to distract and amuse, in the form of building a pizza oven in my backyard. Hopefully this project will keep me entertained and eventually provide an after kiting mecca, producing some wicked wood oven pizza's (obviously accompanied by some noice cold beers), around which stories of the days kiting can be shared with family and friends.

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Hey Fav, I'd love Pizza, would you do home deliveries to Point Cook, its only an hour drive form ya..

Ps.. Heading down your way this morning for a surf at Torque Point.

The waves are pumping today according to the surf report.

[Exarch]

take up cycling.

it's not the same i know but it sure will strenghen up the weak points in your legs.

[plummet]

well just out of hospital today.cast on my arm and 6weeks of no kitesurfing.

i might be able to sneak some light wind land boarding though. bit of one armed biking. and have already gone for a longboard skate board... still dizzy from anasetic.