Wego Kite Tubes Recalled by SportsStuff
SportsStuff's new Wego Kite Tube has had a short but controversial product life. In April the Wego Kite Tube received the award for SGMA Sports Product of the Year, only three months later the 19,000 kite tubes have been recalled by their manufacturer SportsStuff after a series of serious accidents. 39 people were injured by the Wego and two were killed using the kite tubes from April through June. In North Carolina alone, NC Wildlife Resource Commission officials report four kite-tubing accidents including two broken bones, a cracked vertebra, and a girl who was knocked unconscious. The kite tubes have since been banned from state waterways. While SportsStuff has demonstrated their desire to reduce risk to the public, we would imagine that lawsuits and other legal challenges are in the works, despite the Wego Kite Tube's cover bearing a skull and crossbones and a warning: "Never Kite Higher Than You Are Willing to Fall."
Original Wego Kite Tube Specifications:
- 120 inch inflated diameter (10 foot) with slanted saucer configuration
- 840D full body nylon double skin cover with PU coating
- Computerized double stitched sewing
- Nylon zippered openings for bladder insertion and adjustment
- Multiple mesh drain ports, bar-tacked
- Two heavy-duty PVC bladders-outer ring and slotting cockpit
- Reinforced towing system with molded aluminum connector for easy quick connection
- Speed safety valves for fast easy inflation and deflation
- Parallel slotting system with non-slip footsteps and neoprene padding for comfortable foot, knee, and leg use
- 8 padded, non-slip handles with knuckle guard
- Heavy-duty starting leash with easy grip sponge balls
- Reflective Safety piping on all handles and on the outside top taping
- Variable loops for detachable leash use
- Panoramic see through double windows
- Adjustable length style 45-55-65 foot segmented tow rope included
- High visibility, billboard style, red and yellow watersports safety colors with checkerboard and caution accent striping
- Instructional DVD, tow rope, and starting leash included