Cheating Death

Many people have felt like they may have cheated death many times. Whether it be in a car crash or simply doing something stupid. I am one of those people who will see something extreme and want to try it. However, for the first time ever, I was actually afraid to try this certain activity more than once. 

While this is not a video I shot, that is pretty much the experience you get while riding this tool of fear. Sportstuff water sports released this Kite Tube in 2005, and was taking off the market in 2006. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Saftey Commision released this press statement:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sportsstuff, Inc., of Omaha, Nebraska is voluntarily recalling about 19,000 Wego Kite Tubes.

CPSC staff is aware of 39 injury incidents with 29 of those resulting in medical treatment. Those injuries include a broken neck, punctured lung, chest and back injuries and facial injuries. Sportsstuff has received reports of two deaths in the United States and a variety of serious injuries. Sportsstuff has been unable to determine the cause of the incidents. Nevertheless, the company has withdrawn the kite tube from the market and is undertaking this voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution.

The Sportsstuff Wego Kite Tube is a 10-foot-wide, circular, yellow inflatable watercraft designed to be towed behind a power boat. A rider in the tube becomes airborne by pulling on handles attached to the floor of the tube. Model 53-5000 is printed on the tube near the product valve. The floor of the tube has black caution warning stripes. The cover for the product bears a skull and crossbones and the statement "Never Kite higher than you are willing to fall." The tubes were imported and sold through marine distributors, mail order catalogs, and various retailers from approximately October 1, 2005 to July 11, 2006 for about $500 to $600.

My family had this tube during this time, and we used it a total of 2 times during a summer. It is one of those rides where once you have done it, you do not have a need to go on it again out of pure fear. While I was riding this tube, I also caught a gust of air like in the video and was propelled 30ft into the air. Upon landing, I purposely threw myself off the tube because my nerves were too high. While it was fun, I would recommend people to never try this thing ever.

Not that they can ever ride it again.