I just wanted to send out a big thanks to the girl who gave me a launch yesterday at Pinnaroo Point.

As those of you from the West know, it was blowing hard yesterday. I went down after work and set up my 7m and while doing so landed this girls kite.

After finishing setting up she offered to give me a launch. She held the kite for me and I walked to the waters edge. There was an issue with some weed on my lines which I sorted out and then walked back into position, walked up wind slightly to fill the kite, checked the lines and gave her the thumbs up. She never ended up letting so I walked up to her and she pointed out an issue with a one of the bridles being tangled. I was extremely grateful to say the least, thanked her, sorted out the issue and she then gave me a launch.

This serves as a reminder to everyone to look after your fellow kiters. Don’t simply stand there and launch the kite for someone. Ensure their safety by doing your own check of lines and bridles while waiting for the thumbs up.

But most importantly, don’t be so eager to get out on the water that you don’t check your own lines and bridles thoroughly before asking for a launch.

I’m not sure of her name. I’ve seen her there regularly.

So, thank you once again for saving me from what could have been a world of hurt.

TWO BIG GREEN THUMBS UP!

If she had blonde hair it was probably Ruth - well done.

Also: so many great kites don't have a bridle, so why choose to ride one that does?

Not really warranted

thefacts said...
If she had blonde hair it was probably Ruth - well done.

I knew a girl with colourbond hair, and her name was roof

... I unfortunately had a bit of an opposite. On holidays at a popular WA spot, guy lands me and I'm grateful. He asked if I could launch him and I say no worries but he is still running out his lines. So I wait. He's finally ready so I pick up his kite and see a problem with a twisted bridle with front line through it. I yell out, "twist in ya bridle mate". He gives me the thumbs up again. "Nah mate, problem", while pointing at bridle shaking my head. He yells at me to "let it go", so I flip it over and put it on the ground. He stomps up and yells, "why didn't I let go"?. I tell him again, "mate there is a problem with the bridle" so he replies, "no there isn't" WTF! I point at it and walk off! F'ing douche! I see him later on looping and getting dragged through the dunes! Some one else has launched him.

Some people can't be helped hey,,,,,, bloody idiot,,,,, I tried to tell him!

Robbie

ps english wasn't his second language btw

Just a quick note on this re. hand signals. When you give a thumbs up signal, hold your hand out to your side not in front of you. Its really easy to misinterperate a kill signal for a launch signal against the backdrop of your body. Now, where the hell are my glasses?..... :-)

SimonDreyer said..
Just a quick note on this re. hand signals. When you give a thumbs up signal, hold your hand out to your side not in front of you. Its really easy to misinterperate a kill signal for a launch signal against the backdrop of your body. Now, where the hell are my glasses?..... :-)

Good post.
We teach ALL students NOT to launch till they see a clear thumbs up above the head (but out to the side would be OK) - with eye contact to confirm its not a kill or hold sign.
My only (semi) serious kiting accident was my launcher mistaking my 'hold everything' sign for a thumbs up. DOH