Hi Folks, how about us beginners trailing a high-vis streamer on our kites to let others know that we are barely in control and likely to do something stupid :-). I for one would be quite willing to put some kind of "L" plate on the kite if it kept things a bit safer.
Cheers S

its easy enough just to chat to the other guys at the beach. pretty much all the guys where i hang out at know im brand new to the sport.
if i had to wear some sort of high vis gigantic L plate i would be greatly put off.

It's not really needed ..... It's very easy to identify learners
Generally they :

Fly their kites higher
Have a pooh stance or ride very upright
Hands wide apart on the bar
Barely edging the board with very little spray.

Bucket hats, reel leashes, impact vests are optional

You can usually spot a beginner even when they are setting up before they hit the water.

Edit : looks like air beat me to it

Doesnt the 15 minute line run out give it away?

The short tacking?

The boosting near the shore line?

Oh wait. ..now we're identifying ****wits instead of the green as grass beginner

Funnily enough as far as Harry said I would disagree on the safety equipment.
Hard impacts , if you are having a go anyway,can put you out for a while,so why not use a bit of protection.

Yeah very easy to spot.

ajs18s said..
I must ask, what is a "pooh stance". ?

tgcp said...
Easy to spot newbies they are the ones with the biggest smiles on their face, or the ones in the water the most as opposed to the old pros talking about kiting in the carpark moaning about newbies and refusing any assistance with launching their kites ... ;-)

Spot on Aussie. Ill never forget my smile lol hope ya well

I suppose there may be an issue for newbies spotting and keeping clear of each other - if so, the obvious signs listed in the posts above pretty much cover it.

Conversely, if you want to improve your riding (newbies on twintips) simply start doing less of the newbie stuff: move your hands closer to the centre of the bar, lean your torso away from the board (more load on legs, less on back, less poohy - harness won't ride up) and change down a size when the good riders do rather than ride around with your 12m sheeted out so far that it's luffing all the time.

SimonDreyer said..

Hi Folks, how about us beginners trailing a high-vis streamer on our kites to let others know that we are barely in control and likely to do something stupid :-). I for one would be quite willing to put some kind of "L" plate on the kite if it kept things a bit safer.
Cheers S

LMAO

You're an idiot.

newbies are easy to spot. they land kite on sand instead of grass

but on a serious note, one tip that someone gave me whilst learning: - keep front/leading leg straight...(improves riding technique)

harry potter said..

It's not really needed ..... It's very easy to identify learners
Generally they :


Bucket hats,

agreed noobs are easy to spot, but why the dig at people wearing hats. In my opinion its the most experienced guys on the water who are wearing hats, their the smart ones.

bennie said..
agreed noobs are easy to spot, but why the dig at people wearing hats. In my opinion its the most experienced guys on the water who are wearing hats, their the smart ones.

Yeh, I had to swim in the other day in an outgoing tide after my kites LE bladder popped. I'll be buying an impact vest/harness combo now, mainly for flotation. And hats, well I don't wear one because it gets in the way but skin cancer gets in the way too so it's a good idea to cover up..

The ultimate indicator to me tends to be a fixation on the kite to the point you aren't aware of what is going on around you. That and keeping the kite high when you are passing to downwind, only to kill speed and fall back into the water.

harry potter said..

Fly their kites higher
Have a pooh stance or ride very upright
Hands wide apart on the bar
Barely edging the board with very little spray.

Bucket hats, reel leashes, impact vests are optional

Fly their kites higher Yes, flying kites high and parking at 12 is common with learners.

Tip: don't park your kite at 12 as it forms an obstacle that is difficult for others to get around - both on land and water. Drop it lower on the best/safest side if you are resetting yourself, body dragging, resting, walking along the shore etc.

Bucket hats: I usually wear a helmet. Personal choice, but I think the speed and potential impacts make helmets a good idea.

Reel leashes: Definitely don't use. Dangerous and unnecessary

Impact vest: I usually use one. Extra flotation is nice and I have been very glad to have it on during some big stacks.

SimonDreyer said..

Interesting comments folks, I'll take it then that since so many seem to possess a zen-like inner knowledge, that I can assume that those who can't keep out of our way and constantly sail up to the launch despite the known presence of newbys, are what you guys call "Kooks"?. Or maybe they are just checking with mum if it's time to go home :-)

Bear in mind that experienced kiters can pass within inches of you at will or turn around at the last second if they need to. Unless you actually have had a collision they probably are keeping out of your way.