Must be a preferance thingy.

When it is on shore and one is way out, then I can see the funk of "doing a squall." However, you never ever know the severity of a squall...so this is highly risky and in my mind stupid behaviour...but to each their own. I choose to come in when the cloud is real dark and nasty....I do not like riding out squalls, or worse, having to pull the safety.

I think your approach and respect for the elements is far more safer than any so called state of the art "safety" system
In fact I would say that most of those maimed and killed through kiting had state of the art "safety " systems

'

quote:

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Originally posted by meerkat

Situation: Out in the surf on sunday down at the harbour, big surf, gusty 25-35+ knot conditions and squalls every 15-20mins. So i am kiting with care and coming in to land my kite everytime there is a squall.

Three other guys out, they kite through the squalls. Ballsy i think sitting on the beach, until two of the kiters drop/release/eject out at the back and kites and kiters get blown/drift back to shore.

Had a conversation with one the guys and mention that maybe he should be a touch more careful in unpredictable conditions? his reply, i have loads of safety features, quick release this, depower that. I NEVER have to come in becuase my safety gear is state of the art.

So has the improvement in safety turned everybody into the terminator? and how come i still sit on the beach when the squalls come through?

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Hey Guys,

Assessing the conditions, having experience, having quality safety systems and being prepared will allow you to kite in squalls, but it is really only safer if you take ALL the above into consideration.

On Sunday at Scarborough I was riding a 9m DNA on my 6' Converse in 1.5 - 2.0 m swell in on/cross on wind blowing from 15 to 20 knots. every now and again the wind would go more or less onshore and increase in the squalls.

I chose to ride out the squalls by riding further out the back to give myself more reaction time in the event of crazy tea bagging strong winds, and switched my leash from suicide to disable the kite in the event that I pulled the QR trigger.

The kite was set with no stopper and 99% depower when you let go of the bar in suicide mode and once I changed the leash to the front line, then it goes to complete disable of the kite. I knew I could handle the conditions even in the event of gusts to 35-40 knots, but prefer to take precautions should I have needed to disable the kite.

What you did Meerkat, was sensible and showed great intelligence. Knowing your ability to handle the unexpected, knowing the conditions and being prepared for the worst is a smart kiter. As you gain more and more experience, you may choose to take more calculated risks.

If your gut says no, and your head says go, don't listen to your head. Intuition is your friend and may save your life, thats why you have it.

Good winds,

I reckon if your kiting on frontal stuff, wind is oooo 25-35kn, your on small gear and you see a big black mass of nasty coming your way had in quick.

Squalls can be up to and above 50kn, most of the time you dont know how strong the win is in the nastiness.... it just ain't worth it.

Ten fifteen minutes the squall passes, and back out you go. Its often a good time for some liquid replenishment, and to boast about your last move.

I read on a thread ages ago a comparison to the correlation of accidents with air pilots.

Basically a fair few bingles as a beginner due to lack of skills etc. Then the numbers go right down in the intermediate stage as the skill and awareness rises.. Then a big jump in bingles and splats at the expert end!! Reason being simple compacency and a "I know what's goin on, so I don't have to do my double checks anymore" attitude. [}:)]

Wev'e all seen newbies doing some suss stuff (mostly through ignorance) but by far the most stoopid stuff I have seen is from the hero brigade. This falls neatly into line with the pilot stat sheet. Their funeral and hopefully no-one elses!

safety is over rated

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Originally posted by kite boy

SAFETY is over rated

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Wow thanks BrAd for the enlightenment..., some places you need a good safetY some places it doesnt matter so much...

NEVA EvA USE A BOARD LEASH

a long home made one. he must have used glass though or perhaps it was the fact he was strapped to a 12m kite in gusty conditions without having had any lessons.

some may think safety gear = "not having fun", but they usually do it from the carpark on crutches.

quote:

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Originally posted by BoDiddly
Looking at a Bern helmet, just need to find a stockist.

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Hey BoDiddly,

Ive been looking at the Bern as well. Have emailed the Oz distributer to find out where to get one.