Having watched so many 'incidents' in the last few weeks I reckon the major reason for most f**kups is impatience!

Impatience causes noobs to venture out with the wrong equipment, in the wrong wind direction, in the wrong location and in way too windy conditions. Impatience causes the inexperienced to want to be experts NOW! Impatience even causes the experienced to make serious flaws in judgement.

Most incidents with launching are caused by being in a rush. (self-launching mishaps, lines attached wrong etc)

How can we get through to the inexperienced and stupid that they should be patient? Sometimes a 30 minute wait can make the difference between a perfect session or a ride in the rescue boat.

Should the rest of us start speaking up when we see someone setting up a 12m when we know it's gonna get to over 20 knots and squally? Dunno about you but I am starting to refuse to launch these gumbies now. (signs of gumbyness include oversized kite, reel leash, bucket hat, gloves, sea specs, impact vest and white legs)

Maybe we should video these 'incidents' and post them here! Naming and shaming the obviously stupid.

What are your thoughts?

totally agree about the impatience thing...

just to clarify though... why are bucket hat, gloves, sea specs, impact vest signs of gumbyness?

- yes, bucket hat does make you look like a granny... but if kiting in strong sun it will protect your skull from attracting a skin cancer... i should wear mine more often, but due to impatience i forget to put it on most times...

- gloves? - never wore them, but would have saved me from getting skin burns or blisters many times... that's more a sign of a softyness i reckon than your experience level...

- vest? - well, never wore that either, but if i didn't have strong bone structure, i'd already have broken ribs several times... so anyone learning complex tricks, a vest will also provide extra safety...

- sea specs? - now if you have sun in your eyes, why wouldn't you wear specs... not only that it protects from eye melanoma, but it increases safety... few time riding into the sun, i couldn't spot aproaching fellow kiter at all from the glare when i didn't have sunnies...

anyways, that's my 4 cents... over to the original topic now...

Was that you Dave that accused me of being a Euro off the Caloundra Bar on Saturday?

A few noobs at our local were talking about attaching short pieces of ribbon to the tip of their kites so the rest of us can easily identify them.

Could work.

I reckon sunnies are a good idea, however sometimes not so practical in situations I get into. But when I do wear them on the water I just get a cheap $10 pair of nock offs does the job. Sometimes if I think I will loose them I put a string thing around the back.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not bagging safety gear. I just have found that most of the noob gumbies that get themselves into trouble at my local seem to have the same uniform, only their judgement and kite skills do not match the conditions in which they kite. If they'd be a little patient and wait for conditions that suit their ability then less incidents would occur.

Everybody has to learn but it's the impatient people who overestimate their ability or underestimate the conditions that cause the problems.

Personally I can't wear sunnies in the water. Salt and spray just fog them up.

Bigwavedave said...
Maybe we should video these 'incidents' and post them here! Naming and shaming the obviously stupid.

What are your thoughts?

Why dont you install a big brotheresque closed circiut video camera system so the kiting fun police can clean up the beaches and make them safe again.

All learning involves making mistakes. We are only mere imperfect humans.

The biggest problem with kitesurfing is not the newbs but the so called 'experienced' tossers who like talking it up, telling everyone what the rules are on the beach, before going out and breaking all the rules themselves. If anyone needs naming and shaming, it's these hypocrites.

whinge whinge whinge

What's with personal attacks??

My comments are just observations on events at my local this summer. (with some light humour)

Lifeguards at Caloundra have affected over 20 rescues this year using IRB or jetski. Most of these rescues have involved inexperienced kiters venturing out in conditions that exceeded their skill level or in marginal sketchy winds.

That's why I raised the issue of patience.

If your local is mostly safe and can handle noobs then good.

I'm all for noobs and learners (I teach) but I'm against over confidence and impatience at my local.

All I stating is that everyone should analyze the conditions, their skill level, and exercise patience.

Bigwavedave said...

Hell no..I had already left before my C4 got rained on!!

Maybe it was bumspin???

I don't accuse people of being Euro's unless there is something flourescent on their kit and they sleep in a Wicked camper!!!

But I heard there was someone out the back in sketchy winds that had to swim in

One of my rear lines fell off - I was ok

I only meant you if you go out in stupid conditions without thinking!!

I have no problem refusing to launch obvious noobies on 12m kites when I'm rigging up my 8 (Unless they're 120kg).

I have no problem approaching crew at the beach who obviously have no idea and are jeopardising their own and others' safety.

I do it diplomatically, offer advice as to more suitable locations, equipment, or need for lessons, and have always had grateful responses when people understand that safety is the big issue.