In light of witnessing certain activities recently, here are few tips/reminders if you are new to kiting (posting this in good spirit):

SAFETY TIPS:

- when learning, or teaching your mate or GF, pick a spot of the busy beach that is not crowded - preferably at the end of the kiting section rather than in the middle

- learning 30 meters from the waters edge with a 5m narrow beach strip immediatelly followed by a road, houses and powerlines - is extremely dangerous. (I got lofted last night fairly high and carried at least 30m downwind). Wind is unpredictable, and the safest way to learn is far from the water's edge. Could you live with yourself if your mate/GF got picked up and smashed into road etc...

- If you dropped your kite near the water's edge, or on the beach near a bunch of people, and you are struggling to relaunch - then for the safety of everyone please QR your kite and start from scratch. Don't let bystanders on the beach offer you to help as they don't have a clue about kites, and i saw an indian dude flipped into air and onto his head by a kite on the beach when he was trying to grab it and provide assistance.


ETIQUETTE TIPS:

- When there is a small flat section within a busy kiteable area, it is greatelly appreciated by intermediate kiters if you don't kite there unless you are doing tricks/jumps. If you are still learning general skills, it won't make too much difference to you, but it does to kiters trying to progress or do tricks. I'm not saying anyone is entitled to certain section of water more than someone else, but just saying it's greatelly appreciated, as having one learner in the middle of the flat section prevents potentially a dozen intermediates using the only flat piece of water for that perfect pop.

- keep your kite high when you passing someone upwind as their actions are unpredictable and they may not even know you are behind them. (it's amazing how many people on water don't follow this - or are just being d1kheads)

- When you see a kiter in your path but slightly downwind, who had to slow down and raise their kite to pass over someone who is struggling and keeping their kite too high, then please stop and turn the other way unless there is enough room to pass them safely upwind. Don't thread by the hairline or clip their kite with yours when you pass them as they may not even be aware you are there, and could suddenly raise their kite and create a whole lot of mess that would ruin everyone's session. (This tip is more of a - don't be a fkwit when you kite)

good winds

Triggerhappy said...

Did you read what you wrote?

"Wind is unpredictable, and the safest way to learn is far from the water's edge."

REALLY!!!!!

use common sense - i don't need to spell it out.

-> onshore winds (as per 95% of the kiting), and "far" means leaving enough room downwind between you and any hard objects.

LFs... there is a bunch of us with LFs though...

Saffer said...

I think part of the problem is the combination of two words - beginners and altona. Somewhere along the line all the beginners decided Altona was a great learning location.

totally agree. But didn't wanna sound territorial, and i guess we need to show some understanding to beginners too... However, its' important that they also understand the rules of conduct when kiting...

i personally feel awkward when i stuff up a jump in the middle of good flat section, because i think i'm clogging it up for others during those 20 seconds it takes me to relaunch (if even)... seems not everyone has the same level of courtesy... But i understand sometimes is due to lack of knowledge/awareness.

Begginer and Brighton rhyme too...its a busy kooky show out there atm..no wonder joe public get freaked out. Still not as bad as the Perth freeway that has the most ignorant kooks than anywhere I have been on this planet. Before u start defending perth I am from here...a little off track there lol