OTHERS!!!!

It is very disapointing that to see how self centred most kiters at Dolls Point have become.

Today was a very windy day (gusting 35-40 knots) and some kiters did get into real trouble, but most of the guys/girls riding at Dolls would not come to help them!!!!

This is a call out to all kiters to keep an eye on other riders.

If you don't feel comfortable to rescue somone, at least check if the person needs help and find another kiter that is able to help.

Moritz

You forgot to mention Dan on his 9 meter raven saved Col from drifting across the bay after his swithblade exploded in half when one of those bullets came screaming past, and I must mention Ian saved his board.We all have to help one another and after watching these two guys help out it has restored my faith a little.

G'day Extra
I did not forget, I just never saw that. I did see Dan and he/his kite was handling the wind OK when I was there, but like I said I was only there for 20 mins or so, and it was not 40 knots then.
It blew over 40 knots during the day though up to around 45 on some of the bigger gusts!!
I went out today and I was well powered on a 7M SB! The windsurfers (Sam Parker and co) were going so fast it was incredible to watch!!!

As far as I know there was not other kite carnage, I hope Col comes in and tells me what happened?
Today was another story, had to get the boat out, but on both occassions the kiters were rescued by a winsurfer, and then another kiter before I got to them.
BUT I lost my favourite harness, so if anyone found a Dakine fusion, 2005 model, green camo but faded, with a fairly knackered looking reel leash on the back and a Cabrinha leash, as well as my AKSA tag, on the side of the road (it fell out of the boat!!!), please return to Kitepower and I will give you a kiss.

After watching and hearing about the carnage though, I want to suggest in the nicest possible way, that when we get these big Southerlies, novices and inexperienced intermediate kiters, need to be extra careful.
The second guy that needed rescuing had no idea of how to self rescue, he just sat on his board, when he could have easily pulled himself up to the kite and used the kite to sail in.
The first guy just lacked experience in strong winds, and deliberately unhooked to sort some sort of tangle and then got hit by a big gust and let it go. He was far enough out that his kite could have ended up in the airport.

In strong winds everyone needs to take extra care, no one should launch up near the groyne in the narrow section of the beach, I saw a very lucky escape there today and a similar one yesterday.
Begginers using bows need to understand they are not 100% safe, and they need to understand that the trim and safety sytems need to be triple checked before every launch. They need to know never to have the black bar stopper pushed down on a STD bar on launch, and they need to pull several inches of trim line out of the cleat.

There is no need to be riding poo stance with these kites, just trim in then the bar is in a comfortable position and the kite cannot oversheet.

And without mentioning anyone in particular, some people should not kite on this sort of day with extreme gusty winds going from 15 to 40+ knots!!


Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

quote:

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Originally posted by extralarge

You forgot to mention Dan on his 9 meter raven saved Col from drifting across the bay after his swithblade exploded in half when one of those bullets came screaming past, and I must mention Ian saved his board.We all have to help one another and after watching these two guys help out it has restored my faith a little.

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Well done to all the lifesavers at dollspoint, dan i think col owes you a beer though he was heading for the airport, i watched his switchblade get smashed maybe it can be called the stanleyblade its was so badly cut up. Ian was as helpful as ever good on'ya mate, but anyone out in that must be a little crazy.

Col I still owe you another two rescues as you saved my board twice from heading over to NEW ZEALAND and the time you dragged me 500 meters back to shore which we were both laughing about as I dragged you in, you now can relate to the feeling of not being able to feel your arms anymore from the pain of trying to hold on and the other arm trying to hang onto the kite.

Being there and kiting Ian was a big help as always so was the Saint Moritz as well as yourself as I have wittnessed many a time you being the kiter helping someone else in need of help.It was though dissapointing to see so many kiters not willing to help out or get help when a kiter was in trouble.Col I think Big Mac is right that gust must have had razor blades in it as it cut that kite up like a chef chopping an onion up.

Prepare in answer to your question MY answer would be that Boaties is the better location mainly because there is much more space for everyone ( as Doll's demonstrated on Saturday - with a dozen kiters and as many of our windsurfer mates - we end up with traffic chaos ) and if you do come down at Boaties you won't end up on the Airport runway . The downside of Boaties is that its a lot further away from Doll's if you are a western or Eastern Sydney kiter and you need a 4WD to be able to park on the beach ( which has its upside and downside also - your gear is close at hand but if the wind is howling you end up with a ** load of sand in the motor plus your vehicle is covered with damaging sea salt.
However, that being said , I think someone like Big Dan or one of The KURNELL BOYS are better qualified to comment as they have kited Boaties many more times than I.

See you on the water

col with a BIG CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC arrh its good to get those quads pumping again.

I windsurfed Boat Harbour in 40 knots SW last summer... super choppy, messy cross-chop, my teeth were rattling out of my mouth. Gave it up after 30 minutes. Especially for kiting not worth the risk I reckon...

quote:

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Originally posted by Kitepower Australia

Prepare, in SW boat harbor can be a total washing machine, because the wind has had so far to blow across bate bay.
Otherwise it can be kites in a SW, but is better in S and SE.
When the wind is lighter boaty is good in a SW, but when it blows like Saturday, and with such large swell running the water looks like whipped cream.
I heard they closed Boat harbour 4wd access on Saturday anyway, due to there being no beach at high tide, and the dangerous conditions that created for 4WDing.

Yesterday was a top day at Dolls though and it was epic to see some windsurfers out who really knew what they were doing. The sound of one of them coming up from behind, when they are doing 30+ knots is amazing!!!!
I think a couple of them were chasing me down, I was getting some great speeds with my 7M SB and 1.52FLX! Amazing board, and the big board smaller kite combo is a great option for those with aging joints!

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

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Thanks Justin and Dan for being the test dummies on Sat at Boat harbour. Even though I had a smaller kite I could see from your 20min on the water that it was NOT going to be fun. Back at Dolls I did have some fun for about 15mins with some good hangtime, but I should have gone out with the 8 as I for the next hour I was just trying to survive for most of the time on the 10m with those 40+ gusts. And Thanks to Ian for coming to help me land the kite as I did not want to have to self land it in the shorebreak and get the kite wet.

Sunday. was brilliant. a bit gusty true but nothing like Sat. Had a ball and my body has the dull pains to prove it. Great to get some time on the water after such a poor wind performance the last couple of weekends.

agree with (almost) everything that has been said in this thread but here is one for everyone:

A 13.5m is NOT, repeat NOT, the right kite for 40 knots period.

The forecasts said it was gonna blow big, and the weather on the day also showed everything about being a nuking day. Why anyone thought they could hold that kite in that wind is beyond me.

Agreed when people get in trouble we need to help each other out but for crying out loud when whill people learn to accept a little responsibility for the insanity of thier own actions?

</soapbox>

Moritz is it gay to say IAN I LOVE YOU MAN

Baot Harbour was good on Sunday 7-8 guys out at any one time. No one got into any trouble Allso the waves whore prity good on the corner of boaty.Sorry to here about your kite Col its good to have mates around where things go bad. There never any trouble at Kurnel with people heping other in trouble.Allways belive in helping others in trouble.Its been me at Times

Thanks for your thoughts Kev. Maybe if I wasn't a 110kg wet anchor I would have just been lofted but looks like my weight won over the kite. Not to worry mate - we'll get it fixed . Anyway look on the bright side - all that self resque training I did paid off. With some help from my friends I live to kite another day. Yahooooo !!!!

cheers amigo

col with a BIG CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC arrh its great to get those quads pumping again.

Hey Big Col, sorry to hear about your Switchblade. I hear they're bringing out a stainless steel model called the Packer Knife to commeroate the day.
Moritz is right to be angry about people being unaware of, or ignoring other kiters when they are in trouble.
Over at Kurnell everyone is willing to pitch in and help should the need arise, whether they are regulars or newbies, and I think everyone has been in trouble at some stage.
As for Mr Rumbel, I have only one thing to say after reading these posts, "Ian, will you marry me"?

Hey Gleno , I hear there is a line up of marriage proposals for the Sheriff - he was a very busy beaver on saturday.
In all seriousness though without Ian policing at Dolls, kiting could be in strife - there were some pretty silly decisions taken and Ian did his best to try to sought some of them out.

Thanks for your thoughts re the switchy. It will be out of hospital on friday but I'll give her some extra recovery time - the Vegas will rule the roost for a while.

cheers Amigo

col with a BIG CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC arrh its good to get those quads pumping again.