This is a Troll - right Your tryin to get people to respond to the fact that you're a dumb ass yeah! I'll take the bait Just remember that when you f*%# up and get dragged accross the land that I've got dibs on puttin your sorry Ar*# back together Have fun while you're alive kiting in onshore conditions - or get some lessons and check out where and in what conditions you should be in - Later

Settle down HungLong, my critism is constructive it clearly states 'go to an instructor and get some lessons' the image problem with the sport comes from tools without proper instruction rockin up at inappropriate locations endangering themselves and others. If your a dropkick and you do something dumb that's how it is - there is no point in candy coating a ** no matter what you do it's still a **... Kiting dead onshore is dumb period that's all there is to it OK

Oh GetFunky does that mean I'm off your Christmas card list??? I'd rather be a TOOL than a FOOL dude. I suppose you kite onshore as well is that wot your saying??? I note that your reply is the only non productive post on this thread surprise surprise!!! HungLongs message woz the same as mine just more eloquently put!

I can tell you don't like me aye?????

I think what everyone is trying to say is.....
When learning its tempting to get out there every chance you get, sometimes you'll be stupid & go out in conditions that you shouldn't be in. IE directly offshore winds, directly onshore winds, gusty conditions, etc.
If you really want to get out there then your better off to find a SAFE place that will give you a side wind direction. You may have the ability to do what you were doing in your post, but the fact is that if anything goes wrong whilst doing that you've left yourself no option but to be dragged up the beach and into a hard object.

You don't get as much time in the water before your on the beach again and this means more time trying to get back out into deeper water to try again. You could of spent this wasted time driving that little bit further to a better spot.

With side winds, when you stuff up you will be dragged more or less parallel to the beach which is a lot safer.

As a beginner you just dont have the experience or kite control to handle onshore conditions, sooner or later you will stuff up, EVERYONE PAYS THEY'RE DUES at somestage. You will be thankful you decided to find a place with side winds to kite.

quote:

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using the board as a keel...

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I agree with the comments about the unsafe onshore wind he practised in, however I think using the board as a keel for going upwind is the main point he tried to make/asked about. I'm a noob too and I'm using this method constantly to go upwind. As soon as I lose ground, I bodydrag upwind edging the board with my arm an body. Works great and saves me doing the walk of shame that I see the other learners do.

Bo

yeah the wind was onshore, i chose that particular location as the wind is more steady when onshore, with the cross shore the headlands make the wind turbulate and i find it very hard to control the kite with it bouncing around in the messed-up air.

my main question was about using the board as a Keel, and not what conditions to kite in. but whilst this thread has turned into a "wind direction" lesson, lets continue....

the breeze on that particular day was about 70deg to the shore (90deg being direct onshore) so it wasnt fully onshore when i was learning, it was probably the best possibe direction for clean wind (makes flying the kite easier) and i would get washed onto the shore if i pulled the safety and couldnt re-launch the kite, saves trying to self rescue or swim in.

i was a good 200m+ out when i was practicing my water-starts, i thought that was enuff room for a deserted beach...apart from my other kiter friends upwind of me.

i have a 2004 Cabrinha c02 with Recon and i am VERY familier with its operation (used it a few times in practice), i also can activate the QR or the RECON within a second if i need to. i have no problem flying the kite, just a problem staying on the board...i will get it eventually!

so a question...what would you "experienced" kiters call safe wind (???) when:

a) direct on-shore gives the cleanest wind to fly the kite, but the most danger for being dragged into the shore and objects.

b) side-shore makes learning the board easy cause of the safety zone downwind of you, however turbulance from headlands at each end of the beach (50m high cliffs x 10 for wind turbulance gives a 500m high, by 500m long patch of "dirty" air downwind of the headlands) makes flying the kite unpredictable and hard as it luffs and gusts alot.

c) off-shore is just a NO NO!

Would you answer a cross-on-shore? Best of both worlds?? Cause thats what i thought would be best, and so did my mates (who kite). PLease correct me if i am wrong.

just a n00b after a straigh answer, not a flaming

Surgeon, missed the part in kitehards post about it being safer to kite in onshore conditions if you have a boat. You've lost me with that school of thought. Just another thing to hit i reckon.

Sheppo, i'd like to offer the following advice if you are going to kite in onshore and or winterery conditions.

1. Learn how to use your quick release with your eyes closed, back to front, upside down and combinations of the above, it will save your life.
2. I've used your suggestion of the board as a fin and find it is a good method to get yourself out far enough before you put the board on and dive the kite. Very useful for locations like pinnaroo and leighton where it gets too deep to stand.
3.Places like mullaloo and scabs you can sometimes walk out far enough to safely dive your kite without dragging yourself onto the beach. But a definate black run due to the surf, especially in winter, no beginners. Just watch how everyone gets going on the north side of the fishermans groine at woodies for an example.
4. Learn how to use your quick release. I know i've already mentioned it but i cant stress it enough. More than once, thinking i've had a large safety buffer i've launched myself into a jump only to end up on the beach or close to it. If this happens, dont panic, land the jump as normal but as soon as you hit ditch the kite. Most accidents will happen from panicking and overstearing the kite or thinking you can hold onto a luffing kite.
Onshore conditions are also when the wind is most likely to go from 15 to 30 knots(or higher) in the blink of an eye. Most winter kiters would have experienced this and its not fun trying to get on the beach safely in onshore conditions, on a 12m kite, with no assistance in 30+ conditions. This is when knowing how to operate your quick release safely and not being afraid to use it is invaluable.

Having said all that,i've also had some awesome days in onshore winter conditions, so far from anyone being afraid to go out, just be carefull and try and go out with fellow kiters. Have fun!

Also, if you dont like your quick release system, try another one. Personally i didn't like the one on my lifts but i like the north system. Simple and so easy to use in an emergency.