Mitch's Accident at Rush June 23

[RickHeninger]

My heart is so heavy today.

I met Mitch about a month or two ago at Rush... He was riding a 5.0M so well, it crossed my mind that this guy should be pro... I'm not the best one to judge that, but man alive he was fun to watch. I seriously thought to myself man this guy is probably one of the innovators in this sport. One quote that came to mind.

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

That seems to be a nearly impossible line to draw.

I spent about a half an hour chatting with him after that session.
He was one of the most seemingly guileless and kind people I'd ever met. Also, seemed to be one of the hardest workers, (roofing) I'd ever come across.

I am so saddened by this. Sorry to those of you who had to watch such a good man go down. Sorry to his wife and family.

[Alex Shogren]

Deepest sympathies to Mitch's family, friends & fellow kiteboarding pals.

[db]

I met Mitch about 15 years ago at Milosport when he came in to get some windsurfing equipment. He always had tremendous positive enthusiasm and boundless energy whether he was kiting, windsurfing or installing a new roof at my house! He was truly an upbeat happy guy!
He worked very hard and played even harder. His skill level at kiting and windsurfing was definitely top of the heap. Like all of us that indulge in extreme sports we know the risks and do everything we can do engage safely but sometimes mother nature combines with other forces and things happen. Ironically, he and I spoke about this just a few weeks ago out at Rush. He passed on doing what he loved. My family and friends give our deepest sympathy and condolences to Mitch and his family and friends. We will always remember him...

[Trip Houk]

A friend called me to tell me about Mitch and I'm too sick about his loss to offer any coherent thoughts. To Chris and Mitch's family our deepest sympathy. Please let us know if we can help in any way.
Trip and Judi

[Derik Sayers]

I want to add my thoughts and prayers to those already here.
I met Mitch several months before my accident over a year ago.
He was very helpful and always friendly and he will be greatly missed.
He really loved the sport.

When I heard about the accident yesterday, it was erie and reminded me how lucky I am to be alive after going through a slight yet somewhat similar experience to this.

The past year during my recovery I have often contemplated what result could have happend and I have learned a lot.

Mitch's experience has changed my outlook on this sport and I will never ride again or teach a student a lesson without everyone wearing a helmet and using an automatic release bar system.

If I can offer any words of encouragement to the familly and those of us his friends and fellow windriders it would be this, that he went out of this life doing something that he really enjoyed.

Later...


...PEACE...

[River Revo]

My deepest condolences to Mitch's family and friends. Life is so precious and in an instant that can become jepordized. Its unfortunate it has hit so close to home for us.

On another note we can all learn from this. I too narrowly escaped death on my kite. My Helmet saved my life. I kite everyday and wear a helmet everyday that I kite-I just wish everybody else did too. HINT HINT!!!! I dont know if this would have saved Mitch ( I am assuming he was not wearing a helmet?), but I do feel it could potentially give a person a few more chances to make the right decision before getting knocked out. I also believe having a bar with the propoer release system is just as important, and practicing Using the safety system so when it comes time to use it you are well aware of how it's going to work.

Again my deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Mitch and his family.

Dan Gavere

[cpatten]

My family, (wife, mom, and I), are all big fans of the big boosting Mitch Cummings. What a great person he is, and what he brought to this sport and what he gave us all here locally.
We never saw Mitch not having an absolutely great time. He also always had time to lend a hand, and that lending hand will be missed.
It's such a sad and humbling story, and it's neat to see the outpouring of love from our group.
We'll never forget the little guy who hoots and hollers as we attempted our little airs, then would show us up with a monster jump, and all you could see was his unzipped wetsuit ripping by.

All the best to his family and loved ones.

God Speed buddy!

Charles, Chris and Mom.

[Matt Greeff]

I just wanted to take a minute and put my feelings out, about a good friend. Mitch was the kind of guy that was always there to help. He took time for me when it wasn't convenient for him to do so. He walked through the marsh at utah lake to help pull me out of the reeds when he was all packed up and already on the road. I had a bad kite day at rush and broke a couple of lines on a crankin day. He came in and asked if I would like to take his kite out. He always asked me what size I was going out on and then he would give advice as to whether it was a good choice. I think he was just making sure I could handle my own choice. This was done in a real casual way and I new he was just looking out for me. The last session I rode with him he would look over and give a yell whenever I had a good jump. He was always making it a little more special than it would otherwise been. Now I make it sound like I new him well but that is the crazy thing, I only new him on the beach 10 or 15 times. As I left from that last sesion I said to myself I'm going to miss riding with Mitch. (I moved out of state just last week) I want to say thanks to Mitch for being such a great guy. May the Lord bless you in your journey.
Matt Greeff

[Anthony Magliochino]

Wow - I just heard the news and can't believe it. I only hope Chris can take some solace knowing it happened doing what he truly loved and was passionate about. One of my favorite things about the Gorge was knowing I would run into Mitch and his ever smiling face. I'll never forget how he used to get off the Tram at Snowbird and hurl himself and his gear over the railing rather than walking around because he was so stoked to get on the hill.

I miss you already bud and I’m honored to have your roof over my head.

Anthony

[stokes]

Josh, that was honestly one of the best ways to describe everyone of us who chase those moments. I am sure that Mitch lived his life for every last one.

"It's not the number of breaths that we take, but the moments that take our breath away."

Stokes

[jason morton]

I want us all to remember and never forget Mitch and what he meant to all who new him. He was great guy and a real loss to our kite community here in Utah. For those who never got the chance to meet Mitch he was one of a kind. WE MISS YOU MITCH!!!!!! Mitch passed away 3 years ago today.

[Kenny]

Jason,

Thanks for posting. I can't believe it has been 3 years since we lost Mitch. Speaking of kiting accidents - has anyone heard from Derek Sayers? Has he kited since his accident?

Mitch had a ton of stoke for the sport. He loved the super nuking days at Rush. It may be the weather pattern or the fact that the lake has been drying up so early, but I don't recall too many super nuking days at Rush the past couple of years. For any of you that did not know what happened to Mitch, he was swept up by a microburst. You can read about it in this post. We miss you Mitch.

Kenny