Guest Author - Paula Petrie

Tube kiting is a relatively new form of extreme water sport, which is growing in popularity, but is also extremely dangerous. There are a growing number of deaths attributed to this thrilling water ride.

Tube kites are large inflatable water devices that can be 10 feet or more in diameter. This tube is hooked to the back of a boat by a towrope. The tube rider pulls back on a rope as the boat travels at speeds of 25 and 35 miles per hour. The ‘fun’ begins when the tube is lifted into the air trailing the boat. Sometimes reaching heights of 15 feet or more.

A 33-year-old Texas man was killed in late April 2006 while tube kiting, and a 42-year-old man died from injuries associated with tube kiting on June 26, 2006 in Wisconsin.

A 14-year-old girl who was tube kiting lost consciousness when the tube kite fell about 15 feet and struck the water. Other reported injuries include a broken neck, punctured lung, broken ribs, broken femur, chest and back injuries, and facial injuries, such as jaw fractures.

The CPSC sites reasons for these accidents to include a rider's difficulty in controlling the tube, should the tube kite suddenly nose dive, etc. The boat operator’s inexperience, for example, if he should suddenly slow the boat down, the tube kite could spin out of control, or nosedive into the water. If an operator were to stop the boat suddenly, the rider could continue past the boat, hitting it or other stationary objects, such as a bridge.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Park has already banned kite tubing to ensure the safety of park visitors. Superintendent Kitty Roberts said, “Tube kiting has proven itself to be extremely dangerous,” She adds, “There are many other, far safer ways to enjoy Glen Canyon — from water skiing, to fishing, to exploring narrow side canyons.”

Teens love thrills and the rush of extreme sports. But it remains the discretion of their parents as to whether some sports are really worth the possible risks.

As of July 13, 2006, Sportsstuff Wego Kite Tubes have recalled their product after reports of deaths and injuries.