Kitesports: A new source of major trauma? Report of four cases and literature review

• Published in: Trauma Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 23 - 26
• Main Authors: Durnford, AJ, Harrisson, SE, Eynon, CA
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2014; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Kites; Neurological disorders; Sports injuries; Surfing; Trauma; United Kingdom > UK; trauma; spine; kitesports; kiteboarding; head injury; Kitesurfing
• ISSN: 1460-4086; 1477-0350
• DOI: 10.1177/1460408613504065

Background Kitesurfing and kiteboarding are so-called extreme sports, whereby participants are attached to powerful kites, which propel the user over water or land. The sports have grown rapidly over the last decade. The impact, burden and mechanism of major neurological injuries resulting from these sports in the United Kingdom are unknown. Methods We reviewed patients requiring admission following kitesurfing or kiteboarding injuries to a regional Neurological Trauma Centre over a five-year period. Results Four cases were identified – two polytrauma and two spinal injuries, representing ∼0.5% of trauma admissions. All occurred due to impact onto land or objects after being lifted by the kite. Conclusions Participants in kitesurfing and kiteboarding must be aware of the possibility of serious injury. Despite the sports’ rapid, recent expansion, the number of injuries requiring admission to our unit over a five-year period was small but included one fatality. All of the injuries resulted from high-energy impact with land rather than in the water. Future safety guidance should include emphasis on care and measures to prevent injuries occurring at the water’s edge. We recommend that personal injury as well as liability insurance is obtained before participation in such sport.