Hey Peeps. Summer is almost here, and it's time for a whole buch of new kiters to start injuring themselves.

I started this in the hope that people would contibute their ideas about how to approach someone who looks like theyre about to injure themselves by putting up way to big a kite, or launching downwind or any of those things more experienced kiters know not to do.

Its more to help the experienced guys with "how to approach", rather than a what not to do for newbs.

Personally , I'd just go up to said kiter and say

"I wouldnt go out today - its too windy for that kite"

but if they insisted on continuing to set up, well i really wouldnt know how to persist.

So let the ideas roll:
Robbo.

Be polite and introduce yourself first. Ask them where they’re from and how long they have been kiting for. Better to gauge they’re experience and get them on your side, rather than your first words being negative ones towards them, that way they are more likely to listen to you.
If they don’t listen, stay close and help them when they do get into trouble, then they might listen to you next time around.

Hammerhead is on the money, it is easy to win peoples confidence with a few polite straight forward pointers that my well save their arse and your beach. Usually these newbs will be doing enough wrong that almost everyone (experienced) on the beach will notice... many will even stand around mulling over the spectacle while waiting for the carnage to unravle in front of them... it seems that the more people (exerienced) there is, the longer it takes for someone to say something to the newb.

Why wait for the foreseeable to happen?

Step forward and make the difference... and genuinely recommend that they get some lessons with a reputable professional before they try to venture out alone again. (Ahhh, bugger it, Kitecrazzy's right, and the World is far too over-populated anyway!)

im a 2nd season kiter so i remember quite vividly all these things all you newbies jemeber a few things : most instructors are #%!@#$ mine allmost got me killed if you have the money they by all means do it get some lessons off a decent instructor just ask 10 or so kiters where to go the first few will say "go to joe blowat bla blah" they are prob mates and his prob crap justt go with the majority vote. if you dont want to spend the doollars because"screw that i just spent 500 on a kite and 600 on a board and harness (which incidently has a safty system invented during the jarassic period) talk to a couple of kiters watch them dont be afraid to ask cos youll most likely otherwise end up with your kite and theres as one.

check out some of the video web sites which show you y and how to depower set up lines ect.

hope iv stoped a punctured lung or 2

club him like a seal.
Use his skin for shorts or a toasty warm rashie

I use horror stories for the cocky ones. "see that building over there? one idiot landed halfway up it once.. see the rock wall? some idiot knocked himself out on it once ...." Newb's listen most to the horror stories that result in death. RickI has plenty if you need some to fit your situation.

The lone-newbie is not generally a problem.
If the local crew (in their collective wisdom) determine that the wind conditions are too risky,
then no launch assistance would be given.
Right ?
Kite grounded.
lol

Now,
if the lone-newbie attempts a self-launch (due to no assisted launch freely offerred),
then maybe he's experienced enough to know the deal.
Who knows ?

The problems occur when a greenhorn newbie arrives at the beach with a bunch of clueless friends.
The noob then gets a killer downwind assisted hot-launch from his mate and that's when it gets messy.

Stating the obvious but....

The wind is finally blowing, I am all excited about a great session ahead, I kit up and a newby is also on the beach looking like an accident waiting to happen...i ignore them and...

1) they crash kite onto/and/or annoy other beach users

result...We kiters ALL get a bad reputation and council close/restrict my favourite kitespot

2) the newby gets injured

result....I have to end my session to patch him up and/or call ambulance....kiters ALL get a bad reputation and council close/restrict your favourite kitespot


Its well worth it to say a friendly hello, chat about the wind, ask a few friendly questions, guage their experience etc. and suggest they take a lesson/smaller kite/try another day.

At least you have tried, possibly saved your session, kitespot and another kiters bones.

quote:

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Originally posted by protocol

2) the newby gets injured
result....I have to end my session to patch him up and/or call ambulance....kiters ALL get a bad reputation and council close/restrict your favourite kitespot

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No no no - you ask him where his mobile phone is, get it for him, and let HIM call for the ambulance.

For bonus points after he has done that get him to launch you... [}:)]