Originally posted by LookUp

Hey Yan, you are right, there is no easy solution, except that you are right - there is plenty of space for everyone. Everyone knows that this is a learning area and an area where other beginners try to improve. It is our job, as competent riders, to give them their space (and even some help), so that they too can reach the levels they aspire to.

We put a lot of students through the school, at least 6 a day - so of course there are going to be crashes and mistakes - it is called the learning process. How quickly we all forget.

Carbine, every one has a job. Mine just happens to be standing in 4 ft of water watching others kitesurf all day, and don't imagine I'm getting rich doing it. So please don't whine to me about your precious time on the water. There are many people who want to learn to kitesurf in a safe and professional manner - and are willing to pay for that service. I enjoy what I do and take pride and enjoyment in giving someone a great experience.

get a boat/jet ski and take them out into the river. Like ian.

theres only so much learning you can do with a 5m in 2 foot of water.

Damo, the reason no one has been killed, or even suffered the slightest injury on the Swan is that the instruction is undertaken with the highest regard for safety, by IKO qualified instructors. The group sizes are small, and the lessons conducted out into the river, allowing for maximum amount of distance from the beach.
I think there are other completely different reasons for your beef. Namely that the students might sometimes be in your line of fire, preventing you from coming in dangerously close to the launch area to do your tricks. While the worst accident that any of my students have had is being bitten by a blowie, you are out for the season for unfortunate practice techniques on the land. There is plenty of room at Peli Point for everyone, and it is the ideal place for beginners to learn and build confidence. We were all beginners once, so get over yourself and stop slating the hard work and reputation of others. Nat - Peli Point Instructor

right nat you me car park right now!

you must be feeling a bit guilty there since you are being so defensinve i didnt even say it was the KOOKS AT PELICAN POINT WINDSURFING for all you know i could have been talking about a kook over at melvile that dropped his kite on my head last week. i didnt mention any names because i know it is wrong to sledge people on the net but hey if thats the way you want to go.

The highest regard for safety is not teaching with a 7 m diesel on 30m lines in 25 knots of wind in 3 inches of water only 40m up wind of a **** load of trees right smack bang in the middle of 15 -25 other kiters

the group sizes are small?? i have seen 1 instructor with 5 first lessons and 2 others 30m away (unsupervised) that looked like a second lesson all on the water at once and this is not uncommon

lessons run out into the river?? i think you must be confusing yourself with Ian Young who knows standing in the shallows is a **** place to teach now so he gets on his jet ski and goes out into the river. why why cant you guys be more like him

you can lie to yourself and say that pelican point windsurfing have never had an accident teaching there but i used to work there (much regrettably) and i know for a fact that is a lie. because i can remember not 1 but 2 days when i refused to teach because it was too windy and shallow so Ian Lane took the lessons and shore enough both times ended up with a trip to the hospital.

what the hell does me doing my knee in have to do with PELICN POINT WINDSURFING running dodgy lessons???? you were just being mean there.

just think about what you are teaching your student when you run a lesson there. you are showing them that it is not only ok but its the done thing to be flying your over powered kite in very crowded areas flying it over the tops of peoples heads. if this is what people start to learn in their first lesson then god help us all if we still want to be allowed to go kitesurfing in 5or 6 years

i dont really care how you want to run your school i just dont understand why you insist on running all your lessons in the launching landing lane way of every other kitesurfer that wants to come on or off the water.
why the hell do you not just move 100 m down the beach and a bit further out so you are not in the way. there is no logical reason for you to teach where you do. except that you are too lazy to walk a bit further down the beach.
maybe you should start talking to the local kiters there and you might be supprised how manny people aggree with me.
so nat maybe it is you that need to pull your head out of your arse and have a look around.

and if you want to disrespect me personaly and say **** like i'm up myself even tho you dont know me froma bar of soap i sugest that you at least get the balls to came up to me at the beach and say it to my face!
Damo - pelican point kitesrufers

Just some points to clear up:

1. There has never been an accident while I have been at Peli Point, which speaks volumes in itself. I am not responsible for what went on before.

2. Teaching beyond the fence is prohibited as it is a nature sanctuary, so we can't walk any further up - we have discussed it with the council. So we can rule out lazy I hope.

3. I never take more than four people in a lesson, with a total of 2 kites.

4. I can't take 4 people on a jet ski.

5. I can't drive 4 jet skis

6. I totally understand that it is a bore to navigate around a load of newbies.

7. I haven't slanted anyone, and if I was to, I would make sure my information was correct.

8. I'm bored

especially with the road/bush being down wind, if the newbies arn't reason enough that weed should stop you from going there.
pulled some from my hair 30 Min's ago, how the hell did it get there

OK last one. JJD, man I totally hear what you are saying (and all the others). As part of the IKO qualification, a large part of it is Risk Assessment. When doing the site analysis and risk assessment at PP, the fence itself is a particular hazard. Although the trees seem like a hazard, they will actually stop an out of control kite before the rider hits the beach, whereas the more open area around the fence can allow the flying student to hit the fence itself. Although it might seem like we are beach bums with the perfect job, there is quite a lot more involved than just turning up at the beach and showing someone how to fly a kite.

It is a little exaggeration that we are right in front of the launch/land area, as we do walk half way down to the fence. We also have to consider that if there were an accident how quickly and easily could we access the casualty with emergency aid.

Peli Point Kitesurfers - I have heard the voices and we will address the issues with the school to try to find the best possible solution. Thanks for your input. Thank goodness for forums eh

Thanks Nat.

... and it didn't even need a punch up in the carpark

Originally posted by LookUp

Peli Point Kitesurfers - I have heard the voices and we will address the issues with the school to try to find the best possible solution. Thanks for your input. Thank goodness for forums eh

excellent so you are going to move school then. thats great news

personal trainers are sooooooo 90's.

unless you're in a rush.

or unco.

or insecure.

or need a friend.

hahaha, dont think you guys on the west coast are the only ones having all the fun with dudes getting all crazy in small spaces. today i witnessed two guys rock up at a notoriously small and semi-dangerous location on the goldcoast ,helmets,booties gloves, the works , only to watch one set up his lines the wrong way and hot-launch his buddy sending his kite looping extremely close to the rocks. it was a real eye opener, we did our best to give them some advice but to no avail.... hence a long walk back through the mud! when asked how many lessons they had the reply was "WHAT?"

jesus, i think i stirred the pot a bit too much.

o.k. everyone go get lessons.

Brighton isn't place for learning. plenty of reefs under water, and the wind blow directly onto a rock wall about 600m downwind.

lukearoo ur a tool

we were sparing a thought for exactly you... and the fact that you have no idea that the "secure and safe" school may actually putting you in harms way

in this sport, screwing up can mean death...

i couldnt give a toss if you learn to kite well and own me in every trick under the sun... i give a toss that you putting yourself through a few trees gets us banned from our spot...

most of the regulars at (for example) peli can remember plenty of people getting seriously owned and dragged away in ambo's etc

I still wanna see the fight between Damo and Nat

I'll bet $20 on Nat..........unless Damo can use his crutches as a weapon. Then the house goes on Damo.

Bring it on!

another is:

Don't argue with fools, people might not know the difference.

i reckon it comes down to peli point being a poo spot to teach or learn kiting. and like was said, blaming an instructor that works for a boss aint no use. i taught briefly in WA. i distinctly remember these choice words one day when there was ohh almost 8knts of breeze and there was a suggestion of cutting short for another day...."if u dont get him up on a board by the end of the day, you're fired".

teaching can be really rewarding, if a little poorly paid, but when ur getting it in the neck from all around you despite ur best efforts it can be a struggle to stay motivated. we need instructors, not sure of the stats but i know the actual number of iko instructors trained vs those actually teaching is something like 5 to 1.

a newbie cant understand how annoying it is to be just about to pull something sic only to have to abort to avoid. thats why their newbies. duh. but instructors or more accurately schools should be pro-active in ensuring some sort of harmony at their teaching spot.

luv ya'll.