This past week I had an experience which solidified in my mind the huge importance of flying the safest, most padded harness you can afford.

I was with 2 other pilots at a new site in Eastern, WA.  Conditions were light and variable with the occasional 8-10mph cycle.  I was first and launched my Ignition, at approximately 4:30, into a 5-7 mph cycle.  The wing came up straight and beautiful, all looked good, so I turned to go.  Less then 3 seconds after my feet left the ground (no more then 10 feet up) I encountered a powerful dust devil.  It violently grabbed my glider, yanked it forward and ahead of me (I am facing the ground at this point), straight up, then off sharply to the left were it slammed me into the hard rocks over 75 feet away.  Observers stated my wing was picked up 3-4 more times, each time slamming me into the rocky launch.  

The most vivid thing in my mind is the feeling of just being dragged along, under amazingly powerful force, barely above the ground, FACE DOWN, and totally out of control.  As I prepared for impact I recall twisting with all I could muster to get my harness around to take the hit.  When I hit it was hard and on my right hip (which I am convinced would be broken if not for the side protection of the Profeel). After the initial impact, I reached up to pull in any lines I could grab, before I could get control I was slammed 4 additional times on my back (gotta love Profeel's big, padded back protector).

My buddies came over picked me up and dusted me off and told me what a horrible sight that was to witness, and helped me re-construct the events.  After taking inventory I was only scraped up on my shoulders so in fine condition.  My harness is scraped and torn over the right side protector where I first took impact.  Otherwise, all was good.  My helmet looks chipped up but otherwise fine (observers noted I whacked my head pretty good, too).

If someone had told me that I would take a hit like that when I bought my Profeel Harness, and that the side protection would be what will keep me from ending up broken and hospitalized, I would happily have paid 5x the cost. 

BUY THE BEST PROTECTION YOU CAN AFFORD!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rankin Thompson