Just a quick heads up to all the kiters out there in SA.

After driving to Henley today only to return home due to excessive wind. I noticed a few people dotted along the coast line between Henley and Seacliff.

All riders where alone, and one guy at the Seacliff end of the coast seemed to be of a beginner level.

I did manage to get on the water this arvo (on a tiny windsurf sail and it was side offshore, gusty and as windy as hell).

My point is not to name people or have a go.

I just urge everyone to double check the weather and decide if the strength, direction and their skill level are all suitable for the day.

Today's conditions were probably not suitable for the majority of kiters in Adelaide, just remember that summer seabreezes are just around the corner and there will be plenty of time to get out on the water.
I'd hate to see a serious kite related accident before our season even starts.

stay safe and enjoy

Good Call Mate. I went down today around 4 and it was blowing something like 24kts right up the beach. No way was I going to put up a kite and end up at port-augusta! Did the same thing as you and grabbed a windsurfer with a 4.5 sail and played on westlakes but that was gusty as hell.

Looking forward to those summer seabreezes!

Well put JR- I went out at Henley but we always had someone experienced on the beach to catch kites....there were plenty who decided the conditions were more than their gear was capable of.

It is very easy to become complacent with anything you do- I work at heights alot and it took a close friend falling through a skylight six meters and onto concrete for me to be more conscious of safety....yesterday was a day for small kites and definitely one where you wanted someone else around so you could look out for each other.

phx said...

Yeah I was one of the newbies down at largs. Gave up and packed down pretty much straight after I launched when I realised how overpowered I was.

Its hard to tell when you are new to the sport just what size kites people on the water are using, and they make it look too bloody easy ;)

Good call to call it quits if you realised it was too windy / out of control - no shame in living to kite another day!

unfortunately not eveyrone in adelaide has access to a 7m or can ride to a level that requires one.

good to hear tho waxy.
was windy here too.

If its anything like an ambulance they send you the bill

Sorry Kitelooper but there are some of us trying to join the community without adding to the negative side of this topic. Seriously, as a beginner I have not found a kiter that is not up to help at Largs when asked. That is the thing, ask or say! Lets all be safe so we all be the best we can.


I rely on the guys on the beach for guidance as a learner. If they were to say just go hard would I would be winched by helicopter??? Maybe??

Sorry I am enjoying learning but I am not looking to be hooked up the wrong way.

How about an adopt a kite buddy for the experienced guys? Help us reinforce good kiting habits not bad. There are plenty of inexperienced people hooking up but that may just be teaching bad habits!! Pay it forward???


There is only so much metro coast line, I am sure our sport is going to be under pressure going forward. Lets keep it as kiteable as possible.

Jimmy87, 100% correct, emergency levy does not cover a helicopter rescue.. you could be hit for a bill greater than 6k, dependant on location of rescue, if you are NOT covered by insurance..

Slammer said...

Jimmy87, 100% correct, emergency levy does not cover a helicopter rescue.. you could be hit for a bill greater than 6k, dependant on location of rescue, if you are NOT covered by insurance..

What a load of misleading crap.

If you reckon a Heli needs to be called dont hesitate. The Surf Lifesaving Heli has never charged anyone and the State Govt Heli costs are covered by the Motor Accident Commission and the State Govt,. There is no cost recovery.

I have been rescued by chopper - in Victoria and not kite-related.
It didn't cost me anything because I wasn't doing anything illegal.
I would suggest that you better be wearing PFD, or a chopper rescue could cost you.

Beginners are certainly at risk, but so are experienced kiters who become complacent. Most serious injuries I have heard about over the last few years have been to experienced guys.