Hi this is my second season

I fall off my board.

Sometimes I lose my board and have to body drag to find it.

Shocking I know!!

What the hell am I doing even thinking about kitesurfing??

I am so dangerous, yet I dont stop. Poor innocent beach goers.

People like me are a menace to the sport

If only I could be perfect, and know all the "right" things to do before I even start. Then I wouldnt get multitudes of "do gooders" telling me I'm dangerous, don't try that trick, dont adjust your lines, "I fought for Mullaloo so you have no right to learn here - or anywhere else for that matter", your kite is flying wrong (then driving back up to the shop to have my kite checked and being told it is fine), "go get lessons" (despite shelling out $1000 on lessons, and then being sold a north rebel 6m from my instructor - which is a totally inappropriate kite/size for a beginner. Also i was promised lessons on my new kite, but the instructor didnt deliver)

Back off people!!! I normally go surfing, but I started kite surfing thinking the people wouldn't be such ass holes. I was wrong.

If you actually want to help

- hold lessons that aren't $200 a pop. Then people would get them
- actually teach usefull things like safety, where beginners can go to learn, self rescue, safe weather conditions etc...
- dont sell a newbie a brand spanking new high performance kite that is unsuitable and dangerous
- dont hound us - we will start to ignore all this "advice".

I read this forum, I have taken the time to learn the edicate and how to be safe.

My mate who has been riding for 6 years was told to get lessons last year, and frankly I'm sick of this attitude

Yes kitesurfing is a dangerous sport, but the attitude of telling newbies where to go is ****ed.

For all you Newbies out there, be cautious, but be aware that there are many people who are full of themselves telling you stuff you dont need to hear.

Thanks for the support kyteryder.... I need a hug!

and of course most kiters are nice, like the fella at Mulls last night who said a few encouraging words as i walked back upwind, again...

kitesRfun said...

Thanks for the support kyteryder.... I need a hug!

and of course most kiters are nice, like the fella at Mulls last night who said a few encouraging words as i walked back upwind, again...

KitesRfun park your car downwind then try and stay upwind until you have had enough or master it, then just land at car and pack up.

As you leave the water make sure you say I love a good 20k downwinder

Good luck
Richard

Ok so I'm guessing this post is mainly directed at me, so I will give my side of the story.
First of all those that know me will know that I have kited at Mullaloo for years and been involved with the fight to keep the beach open.
I realise that people need to learn somewhere and whilst learning do lose boards, crash kites and get dragged downwind, we all went through that.
On the day in question I saw you on the water and could recognise that you were fairly new to the sport and were on your own, so sort of subconciously I suppose I kept an eye your progress.
I am not perfect and do still stuff up myself, however I am reasonably competent and because I am on a surfboard and can get upwind very easy I often pick up boards for people and deliver them back to the beach, I'm not trying to be a smart arse or anything I am just trying to help out, and find most people appreciate this.
When I was learning I fell off often and people did the same for me, thats what I love about this sport everyone looks out for one another.
I saw that you had lost your board (maybe crashed your kite I can't really remember) and also saw that someone else was in the area and I'm guessing was trying to retrieve your board when he fell off and his kite started looping, at this stage both of you were outside the Northern boundry of the kite area and mainly because the other kiter looked like he was in trouble I decided to come down and try to help out.

By the time I had got there he had sorted his kite out and so despite not really wanting to kite outside the zone myself I decided to deliver both of the boards to the beach so you could both get out of the no go zone earlier, I then headed out to sea and back upwind and landed my kite.

When I could see you still on the beach sorting out lines and attempting to self launch I decided to walk down and see if I could offer assistance, the first thing that I said to you which obviously upset you but needed to be said was something like "I know you didn't mean to end up outside the kiting zone and were only there because of the drama's but could you please try to stay in the kiting zone even if it meant walking further up the beach to start your run."
I was not trying to mock you I was trying to keep Mullaloo beach open for kiting.

When I then offered to launch your kite and you flatly refused and said you knew what you were doing (when It was obvious to me that you were very inexperienced (think back to my comment re your bar), there were members of the public in the area and you were still right near the Northern boundry) I spat it said something I probably shouldn't have and walked off shaking my head.

I am sorry we got off on the wrong foot but was only trying to help and get very frustrated when people refuse help and put the future of kiting at Mullaloo in jeopardy.
So I will suggest to yourself and anyone that is kiting at Mullaloo that has trouple staying upwind to start your run towards the southern boundry and try to come in before reaching the Northern boundry, **** happens and when it does although you may not want to be there you end up outside the kiting area, so give yourselves every chance of staying inside the zone and enjoying the beach for years to come.

I wish you well with your progression and am only to happy to help out with advise or assistance launching/landing however I will not "interfere" again unless asked.

kitesRfun said...

I've been out at pinnaroo twice, and both times someone kicked up a fuss. So I moved to Mullaloo and decided not to go back until I was better.

The first time, it was the first time i had been out without an instructor, and I learned in safety bay, so I was pretty crap. One fella had a big long yell at me and told me to get lesson. I started quite a way downwind with the other newbies, but ended up in the line of fire. It was not intended.

The second time, (in September) I was mostly alone until one other person came out. I thought that it would be OK to be a newbie in those circumstances, but no. I was lectured again (and also lectured about Mullaloo, despite being at pinnaroo).

Maybe I met the two crazy eggs, but I have been deliberately avoiding pinnaroo. I also decided that it was "cool" for kiters here in Perth to go around lecturing new kiters about how dangerous they are, and telling them to get lessons. And I still think this is true. It's also true on this forum, everyone declaring each other dangerous. I've had enough of it, and each time it happens I get more and more pissed off. It just seems like a power trip from old fellas who like to yell.

This has only cropped up now the season has started. During winter it was fine. Bring back winter!

On second thoughts maybe stick to surfing.

Kitesrfun -sorry to hear about your bad experiences at pinnas - I am a newbie and to be honest I have never had any trouble there at all. I think you have just been very unlucky. I have never had a bad experience - the only negative is, as a newbie, is when you are wallowing about in the water they guys that can sometimes do appear to come to close to you. (And this may be down to my perception due to a lack of skill)
Also if someone offers advice - take it on board it may actually be of use

Hi everyone,

(Maybe I should have started a new topic, but will take the opportunity to post here)
This is my 1st season and must say the crew at Pinnaroo is awesome! Even though I had lessons elsewhere (unfortunate; but that's another story) everyone has always been super friendly and helpful, giving tips and encouragement. Such a nice environment that I don't mind the drive up there. Thanks a lot to everyone up there.

Cheers,

kitesRfun said...

I was already really angry by the many many other people, who were actually rude and offensive. *snip* Someone told me I was dangerous (again) on Friday

maybe it's time to consider that as the feedback you're getting is so universal it might have some merit.

in five years on and off the water i've never heard of a kiter receiving a quarter as much criticism as you. you must be pretty special.

Laurie thats probably because most people avoid self launching/landing at their local where they are confident and comfortable, so come time to do it somewhere new, they don't have the skill/experience/confidence to be able to deal with a failed launch or anticipate one = greater risk (unacceptable).

I have personally stopped launching/landing people and instead am teaching them the proper safe procedure (if they are willing to learn). Its like flicking a light switch when they are shown the correct procedures, its a shame that although these are IKO standards they are not part of the training syllabus at any of the schools I've encountered.

Its also annoying when people ask instructors who are giving lessons at $100/hour to launch/land them instead of asking another kiter.

AKSonline said...


long and hard

.....KitesRfun any kiter that questions you is an asshole. just tell people to get stuffed if they bother you. especially if its tightlines... he just thinks he's too cool for school.

stick with it buddy ,you sure do get your fair share of wankers out there, who forget what it,s liketo gain experience.

slyfox said...

kitesRfun said...

I was already really angry by the many many other people, who were actually rude and offensive. *snip* Someone told me I was dangerous (again) on Friday

maybe it's time to consider that as the feedback you're getting is so universal it might have some merit.

in five years on and off the water i've never heard of a kiter receiving a quarter as much criticism as you. you must be pretty special.

kitesRfun ???? postingRfun......... try putting as much effort/passion into kiting as you do with your posting.

And as said before, become friends with the local guys b4 you set up. (at your new local beach that is)


www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Newbies-Tips-Tricks/Pissed-off-with-do-gooder-kitesurfers/

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Newbies-Tips-Tricks/shortening-the-middle-lines/

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Newbies-Tips-Tricks/how-dangerous-are-knots-in-your-lines/

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Newbies-Tips-Tricks/How-gusty-is-too-gusty/

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Newbies-Tips-Tricks/North-Rebel-201011-Control-bar-lines-HELP/

Universally you are being told by kiters that you are a danger to yourself. It sounds like many of the competencies that lessons are supposed to provide you just havent got. You need a refresher lesson

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Newbies-Tips-Tricks/Pissed-off-with-do-gooder-kitesurfers/

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Newbies-Tips-Tricks/shortening-the-middle-lines/

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Newbies-Tips-Tricks/how-dangerous-are-knots-in-your-lines/

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Newbies-Tips-Tricks/How-gusty-is-too-gusty/

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Newbies-Tips-Tricks/North-Rebel-201011-Control-bar-lines-HELP/

KitesRfun

I see a pattern with your posts !!

Buddy up dude, You need to raise the bar .....

Dont take personal offence from Mullaloo or any beach locals, but its called "self regulation" if your seen doing something wrong, expect to be told !! Dont be a forum Tiger, take it on the chin and get back on the horse.

I read your posts and wonder if you have a WAKSA membership ....?

it sounds to me like u have anger issues and i know better attitude. even in a perfect world at the kite beach where everyone wants to help beginners i can almost bet u get under their goat within a few minutes. its not your riding thats dangeruos pal its your attitude. Smarten or become the new alex sanz

It can be quite dramatical here at times and a little bit bitchy, that much is true.
I was on the beach that day and didn't get involved at all(or here mostly), I didn't know who you were kitesRfun but I did notice the beginner on a 9m Naisi in 30knt winds, and an ambulance rock up on the beach because either one of you were knocked out from biting it in the sand...wtf????
Please listen to advice, it is for your own protection and ours no one is trying to be arrogant or rude, they are there because that beach is our local and important to us we have been squashed to a selected quadrant and are not about to lose the last little bit of kiteable beach left because someone is behaving like an absolute idiot.
You need an attitude correction and to gel with other people within this sport, or you will find yourself removed from most beaches by it's locals.