wouldn’t worry about it to much, being a beginner your not the problem as you tend to head downwind and riders can just skirt around you, just remember when passing upwind of someone place your kite above 45 or if passing downwind below 45 degrees, its once you hold ground that you end up getting in the way then try to avoid the tail gate!

The main thing I find with beginners is they spend most of the time looking at their kite then where they are going, just keep an eye out to what’s ahead of you so you don’t ride over anyone that’s had a stack!


Sorry I can’t help you with your marriage problems though- well it will be a problem once your fully hooked!

mintaro, Good on you fella for being a beginner and being aware of others.....

kitehard is spot on about keeping just downwind of the main group as they can ride upwind. Introduce yourself, ask what the local rules are and keep an eye on what size kite you are flying compared to others. beginners can then drift downwind as a group and help land each other.
Just remember that you are taking up 60square meters

Thanks guys,
One thing though, I don't necessarily want to go too far down wind on the southerly days because there is a big jetty (well, a pier anyhow) that I would prefer not to get too close to.

Thanks again,

I think he is talking about Altona

mintaro said...


So yeah, arrive late after everyone has finished -- not a problem

But such a waste. No-one is going to give you grief for being a beginner, we all were once. Get there when you can get your leave passes, and if that's when it's busy, that's probably because it's the best conditions and all the better for you. Like they say, just go for the downwind edge of the main bunch until you can go upwind, and despite some forum aggro and wannabe heroes, in the most part kiteboarders are friendly and helpful and you're probably better off with more experience around than on your lonesome.

Good luck. Welcome to the asylum.

junglist said...

Hi Minarto

What kite were you flying? There was only one person left out when I was there.

That would have been me; I have a 12m yellow and red cabrinha. The cheapy one. I would have been out there way longer except the foot strap came off. And I didn't have my screwdriver with me this time either.

I should be able to get out sooner today.

I don't know what the regulars at your spot are like, but I wouldn't worry too much about getting in the way. Generally, the more experienced kiters will see that you're a beginner and keep clear. Having said that though, it's bad form to repeatedly start upwind of the pack and go blasting through all the time.

Use a bit of courtesy/common sense and everyone else should show you the same. Always worked for me

That would have been me; I have a 12m yellow and red cabrinha. The cheapy one. I would have been out there way longer except the foot strap came off. And I didn't have my screwdriver with me this time either.

I should be able to get out sooner today.

Thought you were going for a night session mate, the sun was almost down when I packed up.

MAN you gotta love the summer

yeah i think staying just slightly downwind is the best option because if you get into difficulties thats the direction your going to head anyways.

as a beginner i would generally try to avoid areas where there is to much traffic. you need room to make mistakes some area can be too crowded, which brings me onto the next point try to learn to look around as well. if you want to try something that has a high possibility of going pear shaped last thing you want is to stuff it up right on top of someone. it also means you can keep an eye out for people in the water to avoid. you can also pick up potential collisions earlier but if it looks like your heading for a collision just start to head down wind and don't be subtle about it, be prepared to lose a good 10, 20 metres. it makes it easier for them to see whats happening.

and if its a bad scenario like there are too many people around that it feels a bit crowded. or you can't tell which way someone is trying to go just slow it down and maybe even just stop and sit in the water and wait until they ahve gone. nobodies going to complain that they have to go around you if your not moving.