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tiki

43 posts

tiki

WA, 43 posts

20 Mar 2004 4:31pm

Just a quick thought after nearly collecting 2 people in 2 weeks. More advice for newer sailors.

If you are sailing behind another kiter and slightly downwind. Do you think the person in front knows you are there? - Probbaly not as they are looking in front where they are going.

Is the person in front likely to do a jump, and if so where will they land...On top of you.

If the person in front does a quick transition, or jump transition and even worse with kiteloop..where will there kite go? Straight into yours.

So..lesson..try and not sail continuously slightly behind and downwind of someone unless you want to be landed on or have a kite on your lines.

Simon

275 posts

Simon

WA, 275 posts

20 Mar 2004 7:54pm

Sorry Tiki,Are you talking about windsurfers or other kiters.
The rule is upwind vessel keeps clear,so if you jump into someone it is your fault!

Perhaps the rule of look before you jump would be more appropriate.

Simon
gowindsurfing.com

andyc

202 posts

andyc

WA, 202 posts

21 Mar 2004 4:14am

yep. i've jumped and almost landed on a windsurfer who was slightly downwind and behind me. As I landed he looked at me and said "look before you jump" to which I thought, "you're so right. SORRY!!!". It only takes a second, have a look around first (for windies AND other kiters), be considerate!

keithbavarianswearingbear

343 posts

keithbavarianswearingbear

WA, 343 posts

21 Mar 2004 1:05pm

Rules are rules but ....

if you are down wind of someone and up there kn ass, there is is going to be an element of risk

Even if the kitesurfer is aware, looks before jumping or gybing, there are gusts, lulls, etc which may create a hazard for the tailgater

Besides there are a lot of learners out there who are still doing the uncontrolled, got no edge, downwind reach, who have no kn idea.

Therefore, the rule may be that the upwind "vessell" keep clear, but the person piloting the vessell may not be able to control it.

In any event, it is kn rude to ride up someone's ass, particulalry when they may need to gybe to avoid oncoming kiter, the shore, etc.

Suggest therefore that if going downwind of a kite, don't rely on the rule!

daggy

528 posts

daggy

WA, 528 posts

21 Mar 2004 4:18pm

I'm picturing you 500m off shore in 25knts of wind politely discussing kite etiquette with another kiter whose kite has just wrapped itself around yours and sliced your canopy into shreds.
How about this for a rule : If you think you're too close for safety, move away. Maybe you can all sit down and contemplate the rules of the waves once you've safely reached the beach.

tiki

43 posts

tiki

WA, 43 posts

21 Mar 2004 5:06pm

YEah the comment "look before you jump " is fair. And we all try im sure.

However, I kite in a popular kiteing spot. Im also trying to make sure im clear of swimmers and surfers as well as stationary kites in my path which is often difficult due to the setting sun. Sometimes, and I would suggest most people, dont look back over their back shoulder before jumping, I tend to double check where im going to land is clear of swimemrs and downwind of there in case i stuff it.

So..if you choose to sail behind and slightly downwind of someone, you may be in the right, but that wont help if you are landed on when that person sees a clear area ahead and jumps high.

I Dont expect to see another kiter sailing straight up my arse as it would seem like common sense would say its a dangerous place to be.

kk

953 posts

WA, 953 posts

21 Mar 2004 5:50pm

Simon is of course "Dead Right"

Captain Goodvibes

92 posts

Captain Goodvibes

WA, 92 posts

23 Mar 2004 9:38am

I,m hearing you all, this is quite a serious problem

There are people who seem to feel they need to ride you into the beach??? WTF for i dont know. but it is incredible how they will ride you up the beach to the point you have to stop and park your kite and stare at you as they jibe and head back out maybe its a way you can force someone to watch your (

) seemingly endless talent?

If your approaching the shore in a situation as described above be a top person and jibe early so you dont force a close encounter of the Kite Kind!!!!

kiterdan

680 posts

kiterdan

WA, 680 posts

23 Mar 2004 1:16pm

Yeah I totally agree with you Captain Goodvibes...don't know how many bloody times this one kiter forced me to head down wind or go into the beach cause he was right on my tail...
I dont think there should be a RULE. Isnt it all about being courteous and using your heads ?

tiki

43 posts

tiki

WA, 43 posts

23 Mar 2004 2:33pm

Aye aye Captain, I agree with you.

Occassionally I have done it myself, usually when I have been heading in to the beach, lined up on a bit of swell to ride a wave, and another kiter has turned right in front of me, so i have to follow him in. I have either the option of heading back out and losing the wave that he has just stolen, or continuing on my way and on the wave I was on, which will leave him blocked on the beach with his kite parked.

Im not being agro and mistakes happen so i usually just turn and cruise back out and try again, but if someone does it a few times Il block him in eventually.

So, if you are going head to head with someone coming in to the surf zone, and you turn right in front so you are now travelling just in front, then you are essentially kicking him out altogether.

Try and organize it so the cross is out in the blue water somewhere and everyone gets a bit of space in the surf. Dont turn in front and steal their run-in if you can avoid it.

Ian Lane

52 posts

Ian Lane

WA, 52 posts

25 Mar 2004 2:40am

Another name for golf is "****" cos that's what you sya most times you Try and hit the ball.
Kitesurfing can be called several things dependingon your skill level.
Level 1 (just started) Oh ****! Woooow ****! F^%^%.
Do not Kite or sail downwind or within a full lines length upwind of this person they need space and you need to stay safe.

Level 2 (getting ok staying upwind) Hey, how YOU doin?
Don;t ride to close upwind as this person has learned how to handle enuff power to stay upwind btut can still lose it which means sending the kite up to 12 at less than a moments notice. (space required)

Level 3 (Jumping looping etc) Look at me look at me ( and if you dont they'll sail up yer clacker saying LOOK AT ME YA BAS$%^#!!!
No cure for this one riders at this stage don't need room they take it. Sensible ones head off to the open spaces and enjoy their skills. And there are Twats who kite on top of others, crowd the launching/landing areas (where a prospective audience may see how amaaazing they are) and usually generate all the excitement that gets us all arced up about our sport.

GREAT HUH? (tic tac ad)

jan

1119 posts

jan

WA, 1119 posts

25 Mar 2004 9:55am

another toughie is where someone is ahead but downwind of you (say 45 degrees or so)

if the trailing person gets gusted and loses their edge and bears off the wind accelerating like hell thats exactly where they are going to end up (and ANYONE can lose their edge in a gust)

yet another toughie is where a windsurfer a reasonable distance ahead and say 45 degrees *upwind* of you decides to do a long lazy gybe without looking behind them (same deal as original situation)

they usually get to half way through their gybe heading almost directly downwind with little power/control (mid gybe) with the sail blocking their vision to a kite/(or other windsurfer)

what usually happens is they panic, and dont complete the turn heading further downwind, exactly where the kiter (also panicking) is trying to bear off towards

always avoidable but u gotta watch out for it :(

Kiteboy

30 posts

Kiteboy

WA, 30 posts

25 Mar 2004 10:53am

Guys, guys guys........
I'm relatively new / beginner to the sport and I read all your posts to try and be more wise to what the do's and the don'ts are. Surely we can conclude from all this that mistakes do happen, there is always "one" that spoils or makes it uncomfortable for others and the best way to keep the sport from being "amazing and welcoming" turning to "territorial and a closed shop" is to have a little thought and awareness about us about ALL the different situations that can arise? I for one try to stay away from the more popular areas becuase of me knowing that my experience and skill level doesn't allow me to get out of certain situations. Unfortunate but a fact. To think that someone will endanger someone else for the sake of a wave or a perfect jump amazes me! Just remember the kite and have a word on the beach or something. I'm sure most would be apologetic and tell you they were sorry to be caught up in going upwind for the first time or something......

gasman

320 posts

gasman

WA, 320 posts

25 Mar 2004 10:24pm

quote:
Originally posted by Ian Lane

Another name for golf is "****" cos that's what you sya most times you Try and hit the ball.
Kitesurfing can be called several things dependingon your skill level.
Level 1 (just started) Oh ****! Woooow ****! F^%^%.
Do not Kite or sail downwind or within a full lines length upwind of this person they need space and you need to stay safe.

Level 2 (getting ok staying upwind) Hey, how YOU doin?
Don;t ride to close upwind as this person has learned how to handle enuff power to stay upwind btut can still lose it which means sending the kite up to 12 at less than a moments notice. (space required)

Level 3 (Jumping looping etc) Look at me look at me ( and if you dont they'll sail up yer clacker saying LOOK AT ME YA BAS$%^#!!!
No cure for this one riders at this stage don't need room they take it. Sensible ones head off to the open spaces and enjoy their skills. And there are Twats who kite on top of others, crowd the launching/landing areas (where a prospective audience may see how amaaazing they are) and usually generate all the excitement that gets us all arced up about our sport.

GREAT HUH? (tic tac ad)

level 4
Very f'ing hard to sail in a full body caste.....a little humility learned on the beach, while your hands soften up, so you couldn't sail even if you wanted too!

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tiki

Simon

andyc

keithbavarianswearingbear

daggy

tiki

kk

Captain Goodvibes

kiterdan

tiki

Ian Lane

jan

Kiteboy

gasman

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