Minor incident. Catini Garden kite area. I got entangled with a guy who described himself as the Victorian state champion and I copped some abuse told to retire piss off etc. Now in my defense: it was 22-25kn I was kiting in the waves close to the shore on a surfboard on the starboard tack. The Victorian state champion was on the port tack and slightly down wind. All was fine and I was waiting for him to pass with his kite above mine before I hit a hard top turn to reverse direction. The Victorian title holder then pulled a huge boost meaning his kite went up to 12 o'clock he went down wind and with my kite low our lines crossed and got entangled.

Now I don't consider it my fault however I sacrificed and released my safety meaning that only my safety line was crossed his lines. When I also released my safety Line freeing his kite completely I lost my kite which went into the construction zone damaged etc.

Now I live at Catani gardens, sailed at the yacht club as a kid including national titles, and I kite regularity next to the pier and have done so for nearly 7 years and I'm going to continue to do so until the pier and yacht reconstruction completely destroys one of the best kiting sites in Victoria (hopefully not).

While common sense must prevail. Starboard tack (that is with the wind on the right or starboard side) has right of way over a person on port tack. Also, Just a plea, it would be nice for the surfers to get some access to the wave area while the area upwind or the new kiddy pool is used by the big boost guys.

Also saw one kite smashed on the rocks and another on the rigging on that bloody yellow boat on the weekend. Here's hoping the new marina moves that boat. Never seen it used by the way.

hey when was this?

definitely not me! havnt been tangled with anyone for a while and i think I would remember.... I would never describe myself as some kind of vic champion haha. what kite was this person on..? North?

SOunds a bit rough tho

DANEgerous said...
Haha, not you Ewan, I had a run in with a guy a few weeks back that dropped that vic champ line. I shoulda got his autograph.

ohh shiit, haha who was it, not guna drop names on here? would be good to know tho

hey i ride a torch! but only got tangled once months back with another torch or park... but the dude was nice and friendly and eventually got his kite untangled without any dramas.

The current vic champ in freestyle is ewan and no way he would do that. what sort of kite and what did he look like

Did he say he was the state champion in kiting? Maybe he is the state Darts champion????? Still he sounds like a douche