This is just a heads up to those who are still in the learning phases of kiting.

Do NOT launch/drop your kite upwind of families/kids/anyone not familar with the workings of a kite.

I had the displeasure of watching a fool nearly take out a little girl today. To make matters worse, this 'bow kiter' was equiped with a pfd, gloves, hat, sunnies, booties all for HIS safety...the young girl was in her cossies and just happened to be deaf.

He dropped/dived his kite to the ground within a metre of the girl to sort out his saftey system. She was unable to hear me calling her away from the kite as the lines loosened up and it seemed the bloke was unphased by it all.

To the bloke...it those actions that will severely injure or kill someone one day and get this great sport banned. Get back in your volvo.

Cheers
Dan Roberts

narh !!!!! it was at leighton beach .
ktierdan i was talking to you and your mate about surfbords
yeh it was a bit crazy to day . public hoildays what can you do

Ahhhhh first tale of summer. Lets hope its the last

Cwamit,

Nice call, although probably frustrating at the time...

No, unfortunately not, and inhind sight, it would have been more appropriate to talk to him then. He did know I was pissed off after asking him in no uncetain terms, 'what the **** are you doing'. Certainly not the best way to go about it, but this girl could have been taken out in a bad way.

This is not a message to specifically addressing him mind you, its a friendly reminder to all newbies.

Cheers
Dan Roberts

sometimes newbies "just don't know " what they are doing....let alone doing wrong!

I would suggest telling a person the dangers rather than letting it rip into him.....I repond better to constructive advice or critisism rather than the F word!@

There are gonna be more and more newbies in this sport...I try to get to know everyone....and help and get help where ever possible.

The experts should be a little bit more helpful i think.

yeah i second that
this would be my third season of kiting so im still far from a pro but launching is the only bit that still makes me nervous.

I personally have had a few close calls with innocent bystanders down wind because i have been to keen too get in the water. i kinda learnt the scary way that a good launching point on the beach has no serious implications within striking distance downwind. the potential is there if you are not wary.