I saw someone that looked in a bit of trouble a couple of days ago when they went to launch. The kite circled a few times and then stopped in the middle of the power zone.

<rant>
I had just come in to help a friend with their 5m kite in the 18-23Knot wind. I raced over and asked if they needed a hand. They said that they really had no idea about what they were doing. That they had done 3 lessons. Bought a second hand kite and thought that they'd give it a go.

I gave them a hand to launch and told them to give me a thumbs up when they were ready for me to let go.

The kite didn't lift up and seemed to want to drift straight back to the power zone. I grabbed the kite, parked it, and said that we should walk out in the water onto a sand bar and launch from there. That way if something went horribly wrong, they'd have time to drag through the water whilst reaching for their safety.

I was about to launch again when I looked and saw something not quite right. One of the inside lines looked twisted.

So I again parked the kite and went to check the lines. That is when I noticed that the safety was hooked up incorrectly. No depower if it was pulled!!

Then, checking the lines revealed that one of the bridle lines had detached from the kite!!

I told them that if they had any questions or ANYTHING -- to not hesitate to ask someone over there -- where the we all were.

So. Lines twisted. Safety set up incorrectly, and bridle line not attached. 3 lessons. First time out with second hand kite.

50Kg person with 9m kite in 18-23knot winds.

And I am fairly new to this too, but sheesh! The wind has SO much power -- I ended up launching the kite and it was lifting me (100Kg) off the sand.

Oh, and then there was the time that I was packing up my kite and a kite whacked the ground literally 3 foot from where I was standing!!! Right in the middle of the power zone!! 5 seconds earlier and I would have been standing there and who knows what would have resulted?

I was about to grab the kite when I saw that the guy was going to launch it again, and it was turning straight at me. I was watching carefully and totally prepared to duck, but the guy got it going straight back up.

I looked over and there were two dudes at the bar -- one guy teaching his mate. I waited to hear what they were going to say. But nothing!!

I walked up to them to say, Hey! At least a "sorry mate" would have wouldn't have done any harm.

It turned out that they didn't even see me there! Ok, you didn't see me there. Your kite crashed right in the middle of where everybody sets up and you didn't see a guy that you nearly killed!! That's pretty f_cked!

So yeah. I suppose if these sort of things keep happening it won't be long until you need to kite with a visible tag which represents that you are competent and safe; and face a hefty fine if you don't have one!!

If I hurt myself, that's one thing. If I hurt someone else because of my actions -- that could simply have been avoided, well, that would be a very bad thing.
</rant>

The more I learn, the more I realise I don't know. Soon I'll know next to nothing and be the most cautious kiter out there!!

Its not us that need to be told. Most of us are fine. Its the unlessoned/taught learners we need to tell who have no idea the website even exists.
Direct them hear for info and nonwind fun.

Hey Dawn Patrol,

I think you'll find it isn't the learners that are the most dangerous on the water, its more often than not those who have gained confidence who have some experience on the water and think they know it all...so my post includes everyone including you!

Yes there are idiots out there teaching mates/girlfriends who aren't qualified but its the experienced riders who need to take the lead here and offer assistance/guidance.

Trust me I've seen it first hand and those beginners who have had lessons via qualified schools more often than not just need some space which a lot of experienced riders don't give them.....we all know some riders believe it's far cooler to jump close to shore to impress the onlookers!!!

I've no idea how you can regulate lessons to ensure everyone gets to a certain competence before they go out on their own. Plenty of people I've met here have had just one lesson before going it alone...more often than not they are men and they think they are invincible.

Thanks everyone for doing your bit

"Kite safety" I wish more people had spoken up (on the beach). Therefor I may have not have had an accident (14 march 2006). But the kite I was riding was a 2003 Slingshot GTO 11m and it has NO safety on the chiken loop (solid). I see now ALL kites are equiped with quick releases. I think all training should focus on using your quick releases habitually. I hope I hear of no more accidents happening (pigs might fly). Its going to happen, so we should all know CPR, some basic levels of care and just keeping a level head (like the people involved with my incident). Play safe

LOL

yea be safe... otherwise you will end up like me



Riding wakestyle in the surf is NOT recommended... too many variables i.e. waves that can hinder your landing and send the energy through your legs.

I hear the saying "you only live once" all the time. People tend to relate this to going to the utmost extreme and risking your life, yet... shouldnt only living once mean you should try and preserve/prolong the experience as much as possible??

Yeah; but if you had the choice to go out in a boring way, or have a spectacular ending, id choose to go out with a bang!

Hayman said...

Yeah; but if you had the choice to go out in a boring way, or have a spectacular ending, id choose to go out with a bang!

When in your entire life have you ever been given that choice?? When your dead your dead, whats going out with a bang gunna do for you anyway

In regards to Sams post... man as soon as your kite gets locked up like that hit the release, if its not completely instilled in your brain as a reflex to go to each release instantly then you are not practising proper safety. Before every session I go over my releases at least 5 times. Like I said in another topic, you need to practice something 6,000 times before its a reflex.

Will people learning the sport PLEASE do their homework
learn to fly a kite properly before adding the added tasks of managing board ,strong winds,crowded spots
Please make the most of light days ,just beacause there isn't enough wind to get up on a board doesn't mean you can't go do and really hone your kite skills ,even add the board and get used to multi tasking in a less stressful environment .For years now there are countless light days that go wasted by beginners who wait for the perfect 18 kt side shore wind but haven't done their homework and developed the kite skills to make the most of it .

Hey Mr Float,

It's not just the beginners, it's those kiters who are just starting to turn, go upwind and jump that become over confident and careless, this is one of the most dangerous stages in kiting....when they think they're invincible and no matter how much you try to advise them to be careful it's like watching tumbleweeds roll across the desert!

Light wind days are good for all kiters no matter what their level, just grab a skimboard and play with your kite...any time flying a kite is more experience and you learn something new each day.

Caelah said...


SamS - wearing the safety/kite leash in the CORRECT position it was designed to go may have helped your situation. I am continually bemused by people riding with the safety there and thinking it's OK...it's not. Safety on kites are in a certain place for a reason, if you chose to go out and put yourself at risk and not use the gear correctly then you only have yourself to blame....lets just hope you don't hurt someone when you're on the water if this happens again. Out of interest, were you told when sold the kite where to put your leash?

Whoa. Everybody I know that kites on the gold coast with any bow kite rides with the safety above the chicken loop. It is where i was told to put it when i bought my leash, when i had my lessons, and from everybody on beaches.

And you might also be interested to know that when i bought my first kite i was told 'the switchblade 1's are made so that you dont ride with a kite leash AT ALL' It also says this in the manual dispite the ring on the front lines where it could be attached. I didn't ride with a leash for some time until i decided to try unhooked stuff.

kite safety whats that is there such a thing any more just go down to leighton watch poeple looping kites out of control on the beach dumping there kites & seeing it take out a few people or the ****ers who launch there kites & go straight out dont worry about the blokes tring to have fun with the chop on the shory just cut them of its alright or even better knock there kites out of the sky thats more fun dont worry kite bans are comming talked to the ranger kittings goin to be banned at leighton cant blame them though go down there in arvos & watch the stupid s87t people do but go for it awsome

aido said...

kite safety whats that is there such a thing any more just go down to leighton watch poeple looping kites out of control on the beach dumping there kites & seeing it take out a few people or the ****ers who launch there kites & go straight out dont worry about the blokes tring to have fun with the chop on the shory just cut them of its alright or even better knock there kites out of the sky thats more fun dont worry kite bans are comming talked to the ranger kittings goin to be banned at leighton cant blame them though go down there in arvos & watch the stupid s87t people do but go for it awsome

punctuation?

the common denominator is beginners... i would blame the structure of IKO lessons, 2 or 3 lessons and they are let loose, many have no idea what to do without someone in their ear all the time.

common faults: going out at crowded swimming beaches, too big kites, no respect or idea of right of way, jumping near other kiters.

its easy to spot a beginner, there the ones who make you feel at risk when near them... good riders are fun to kite around as you know they dont put you at risk

its easy to say its hypocritical but the stakes are raised and more people are doing it so its something that needs to be adjusted.

Why do you need a safety leash if a kite has 100% depower?