Kitesurfing is a form of surfing that takes the experience to a whole other level. This is a sport that allows surfers to experience huge jumps and extended periods of air time. This is an effect that is achieved through combining a paddleboard with an actual kite. The combination is both exhilarating and dangerous.
On the whole, because a whole new element of chance is now introduced to the equation, kitesurfing is a bit more dangerous than the normal sport of windsurfing. However, this does not mean that kitesurfing is any more fatal than any form of extreme surfing. The injuries received in both tend to be the same.
What is significant is that injuries do seem to occur more often as a result of engaging in the activity of kitesurfing. There are a number of key factors that make up this equation. These can be explored in further detail below. The thing to take away is that injuries are more often, but no more severe, than in windsurfing.
The Top Dangers And Common Injuries Of Kitesurfing
The top dangers of kitesurfing are numerous but predictable. They include common contusions, ankle sprains, and various types of bone breaks and fractures. There are a great many fractures of areas of the body such as the vertebral body, olecranon, scaphoid, tibial plateau, and talus bones.
However, in most cases, these injuries are not severe or anywhere near fatal. There were a number of injuries to the cervical area, spine, and trunk that bear further investigation. These dangers can be predicted as an outcome of the type of equipment and activity that this particular sport involves.
In most cases, the injuries received were classed in the order of minor to moderate. Relatively few severe or fatal accidents were recorded. However, it is important to note that safety is still an issue that needs to be explored and expanded. Ongoing studies are being conducted in order to make this a less hazardous activity.
The Top Dangers And Common Injuries Of Windsurfing
Windsurfing is a sport that is replete with its share of common hazards and injuries. There are plenty of injuries to report. These include fractures of the bones in such areas of the body as the vertebral body, olecranon, scaphoid, tibial plateau, and talus areas. As noted, these are many of the same areas that affect windsurfers.
However, to some degree, windsurfing is a bit less dangerous than kitesurfing. This has to do with the fact that the person participating in a windsurfing exercise is not prone to be lifted out of the air via a kite. The injuries that a windsurfer is exposed to are more akin to those faced during the course of normal surfing.
Various types of contusions, ankle sprains, and. bone breaks are normal injuries received on occasion by those who regularly indulge in windsurfing. However, these do not generally result in injuries that are rated more than mild to moderate. The number of actual fatal incidents related to windsurfing are very few in actual number.
Are Kitesurfing And Windsurfing Extreme Sports?
Both kitesurfing and windsurfing have generally been classed under the heading of “extreme sports.” This is largely due to the fact that both of these sports do tend to involve quite a bit more strenuous physical activity than most other activities. But this does not mean that they are considered too risky or dangerous to attempt.
The truth of the matter is that both of these sports are gradually becoming more popular and commonly accepted. While neither will ever be an everyday activity for most people, they are also not considered among the very most “extreme” of extreme sports. But they are certainly more strenuous and physical than chess or checkers.
The key to enjoying these sports, if you choose to, is to take all all of the relevant safety precautions as seriously as possible. This will make your experience less prone to injury or possible fatality. The main thrill of indulging in the sports of this nature is to enjoy the thrill of exertion, not the agony of receiving an injury.
Injury And Death Statistics For Kitesurfing
As kitesurfing is not the most common type of sports activity, it does not really rate a great deal of attention by outside sources. This means that, unless you are directly paying attention to developments within the sphere of this activity, you are going to find that solid statistics are few and far in between. This is slowly changing.
For example, a few solid and reliable stats have recently been released. These figures are designed to give a reliable insight into the various types of injuries that people who engage in the sport of kitesurfing may be prone to. The number of injuries per 1,000 people for kitesurfing enthusiasts was rated at a figure of 7 persons.
This number corresponds to a number of injuries received that were generally rated in the moderate level. About half related to injuries of the head and cervical area while others were minor ankle sprains. There were a few bone breaks and concussions to report. The number of fatalities was so low as to not be calculable at this time.
Injury And Death Statistics For Windsurfing
The number of injuries reported by windsurfing participants was rated as 5 per 1,000. This is a very low number that reflects the fact that most injuries received in the course of this activity are themselves quite minor in nature. A number of more serious injuries, including bone breaks and concussions, have been reported.
The number of deaths directly related to the sport of windsurfing have been very low. A few per year have been documented. However, as with kitesurfing, the incidence of death among enthusiasts of this sport is very low. The majority of injuries directly traced back to windsurfing do tend to be mostly minor in nature.
