Recent experience in light wind, on big kite and floaty board where I'd been out maybe 35-40 minutes only and a grumpy paddle surfer, around noon this was once the wind had picked up, tells me to f@&k off with my stupid kite and essentially leave the lineup.

I appreciate the surfers have right of way and I wasn't "dropping in" on any of their waves but of course tacking out, reading the swell lines, gybing and then coming back at the lineup I could pick off waves as swell and ride them well before they could and again admittedly was riding through the lineup of say eight paddle surfers, once the waves crested and ran down the point.

I've surfed my whole life and kited 7 years strapless in waves both locally and abroad.

I think the guy was just grumpy I was catching waves, boosting a few airs tacking back out and generally having about 30x more fun than he was.

I stopped and jumped off my board near the abuser with the kite just sitting there at the zenith and commenced a discussion with the guy but he couldn't be convinced the waves could be shared. I explained I hadn't been out all morning as the wind had only recently picked up and the set up was such that I couldn't kite the waves anywhere near all the way to the beach because of the wind shadow of the headland and was essentially only able to ride say 1/3 to 1/2 the wave's total length leaving plenty of what I thought was "room for all".

Anyway, as a kiter, do I ever have the right to tell a paddle surfer to simply F-off, the ocean is for all of us???

More to the story if Seabreezers are interested but I thought I'd start the discussion.

If you want to get killed, sure.

I rode a spot a few weekends back where there were about 20 surfers out. Strong cross-off wind and a 4-6ft ground swell.

I agree with Plummets take on things. I guess, this particular day was a positive experience for me regarding surfer/kite surfer interaction.

A handful of Kiter's watched from the beach waiting for the wind to come more cross-shore. A local advised me this was how it was done. As the surfers were exiting the water, we were getting comments from surfers around how good it was and that it's now better for the "wind warriors". Within 15 mins of the wind turning, most all surfers were out of the water, leaving the place for the wind and kite surfers. I think at times patience pays.As a rule, I would never kite through a pack of surfers..... mostly out of respect (being a surfer myself) but secondly, I don't want to draw any unwanted attention.

Plummet said..
In this instance, I think you are in the wrong. You should not kite through a line up of surfers. Your are putting them in danger that they didn't sign up for. Imagine if you and your kite went down in the middle of them, lines could be wrapping around them whistle going through the washing machine. Thats very dangerous!

My motto, Never kite so close to prone surfers or swimmers, etc that if the worst happens your kite and lines will wrap around them.
If you can hit into the line up downwind of them and ride some waves that doesn't put them in danger then... fair game. There is one time I don't follow this rule. That is when I am their first, I am not riding the most surfer friendly part of the beach and a surfer willingly paddles into where I am kiting. In that instance, he could have gone to a better spot on the beach but chose to interrupt my fun and to take the risk. I will not move on.

Also, it sounds like the surfers were their first, it was light wind and you came along second when the wind pulled up a bit. In that instance, it's first in first served. Leave the surfers to it. Find a different part of the beach to ride the waves. They will be gone when the wind picks up to good kiting level and you will get all the waves. When its super light let the surfers have their time.

So conclusion. You should have been told to f$%k off.

100% agree and practice all of this, especially if it's light wind.

It is never ok to abuse a surfers if your kiting.

it is also never ok to abuse swimmers when kiting.

It is never a good idea to sine a kite more than 3 times with any person within 30m downwind.

it is always a good idea to shout out to kiters if surfing. Eg- point arm and finger 'blue kite **** off 10m' . Not so much for my safety but that of other surfers around me- not everybody understands how kites work and the dangers.

Lifelong 45+ year surfer, but when it blows we goes. If you can make it happen with a kite then let it rip, all surfers with half a brain knows it's over, time to get outa the way.

If it's any consolation surfers all hate each other as well.

If you Worry too much about what could happen, you'll end up Never doing anything.

Lifes for Living and Enjoying yourself, Not Worrying about what some Wanker thinks, says and does. You have just as much rights as everybody else.

WoW, Deep.??

No opinion on this cos wasnt there but most surfers would be cool if you made sure you made it clear that sharing was going on. Some big top turns always help.

Waveswindy said..
Stay well clear of surfers .. especially at popular beaches. They were there first. Also swimmers.

I get really angry when kiters go in between surfers. Especially Infront of them on a wave or in between (water sprays at them). It's just rude. We all want to ride those waves but find another peak/spot. Quickest way to ban kiting or get knocked out (Lennox head this happened).

My personal rule is ride 30-40m at least from them...kite lines and if it dropped enough to relaunch... And never more than 2-3 surfers. If there are more surfers move along. This is tricky in Sydney though... If they are complete kooks ,can't paddle and it's onshore... Fair game.

What happened and when between kiters and surfers at Lennox?