Hey everyone,

After getting my first fix of wind in a while I spotted a kite haveing trouble as I was packing up(at mullaloo, WA).

My question is this..

The guys were absolute spanners with no idea, when I asked what was happening and if they needed a hand(just after the kite had death looped into the sand, followed by his friend hot launching the kite and getting tangled in the lines), they responded "Nah mate, just bought the kite and thought we would give it a go".

I did the usual, and advised they should go for lessons, but it was obvious they werent, and were never going to, listen. I also spoke of the dangers if you hit somethign etc.

In the end I told them how to activate the safety and if they are going to learn by "trial and error" to make sure they stear clear of all people,

Now should I have;
(a) Cut their lines
(b) Put a hole in the leading edge
(c) Let their car tyres down
(d) all of the above
?

I don't have a problem with people learning and I am glad to offer to assistance to others that are willing to listen. But it is people like this that will get our local spots banned and I believe over the comeing season we need a general consensus on what needs to be done in these situations(contact the ranger?)

Thanks
Matt

you did the right thing, its hard to regulate every tool who goes and buys a kite. i think that kiteshops should only sell kites to people who can fly them, but then the kooks can still buy 2nd handkites.
we should put L plates on kites for learners haha

I vote all of the above.

Keep your local council ranger's number in your phone and report them.

If they know we are trying to maintain a standard of safety at our local spots then it will only be the idiots who cop it.

The rangers won't always come down and do anything but at least they'll be aware that we are interested in public safety.

Second hand gear is part of the problem, If we (anyone who kites) sells gear make SURE the buyer can already kite - or is going to get lessons. If its the later ask who with - if they are fair dinkum they should have already done their homework. Then get their mobile number and name.

If it was me selling and I wasnt convinced that the buyer was trustworthy - I wouldnt sell

If we dont want to be 'regulated' - we need to self regulate.

I also vote flor (a) and (b). car tyres is going a bit far

Hopefully they will get sick of crashing and give up on the idea of kitesurfing .Or maybe they will see the easyest way to learn will be to take lessons ..

Hey guys,

Thanks for the response.

My main concern is that I tried all of the above mentioned tactics, "If you hit something you will end up in hospital" etc. I also mentioned that local beaches are going to be closed to kiteing soon. Even after i showed him his safety was completely in the wrong spot and his bar was upside down he couldn't give a ****, sort of acting like he thought he knew better. Then his mate(the owner of the kite) comes up and tells of how he was picked up and slammed into the beach a few times last time he tried, they still didn't care. As we were leaving and the sun was setting they wontinued to attempt to get the kite in the air, from the road we saw the kite go up and death loop a number of times.

I think I will invest in a hook knife, and next time give them the option to leave and get lessons or haven their lines sliced and diced.

Thanks
Matt

In all seriousness, if you cut lines or puncture the kites of fools, you can expect to have to defend your actions. Unless you like to punch on, or can defend a cricket bat response, Id advise to just do what you did.

Tell them they arent being smart and leave it at that, leave the rest to natural selection.

I think you took the best option.
Damaging their kite could have you talking to the police instead of them.
They will damage themselves and the kite beyond repair with out any help from you.

I think you did what most kiters would do in that situation, after they get launched a few times they might book some lessons. If they get smashed and continue without lessons then it might not be a bad thing for the evolution of mankind

admittedly it might not be the best thing for the evolution of kiteboarding

I haven't seen too many crazy people doing that before, although I've seen some poor learner get owned by a 10m under instruction from some other dude... didnt seem too official to me.

Lets just hope his kite managed to break before he can hurt anyone...

OR we can do what lex said, except forcefully tatoo an 'L' to his forehead and possibly make him a custom made 'neck harness'.

BUT SERIOUSLY now, I wouldn't bother getting the cops involved unless he's really going nuts, imagine the media attention if heaps of kooks were getting pulled up. I'm with licensing.