I'm not one of those fun police type of people, but today was such a WTF moment...

TWO sets of teachers with multiples of students on a Nor'wester, about 10knts.. Not another kiter to be seen...

With a sizable section of the beach taken up with beach soccer (or something similar), there was a teacher setting up, teaching launching and landing within 10 meters of sunbakers on a *very* crowded beach...

At least the other teacher was away from the sunbakers, but close to the path near the cafe, just waiting to take out people walking on the boardwalk.

1) I was just waiting for 'that' accident.
2) Congratulations to the other schools for not even trying...
3) What a bloody rip off for the students being "taught" on a flukey, never going to happen day.

The school involved? - Both black Jeep kites... So pretty sodding obvious.

Would love to hear the justification for this behaviour... (other than making $s)...

I have to differ: What is wrong with a kite school with a permit teaching wannabes the safe handling of a kite in a designated kite school area in light winds. What is the worst that could happened in 10 knots, the kite dropping out of the sky? Don't you all say that noobies need lessons? Then when there is schools providing lessons you have to bag them?

PS I have no interest in that particular kite school /shop other than they are great guys and SHQ aint the same now.

And if you do have a problem take it to the council (I did once regarding another kite school there some years back)

HighzaKite said...
teaching wannabes the safe handling of a kite

The safe handling of a kite doesn't include flying it on a packed StK beach in a crappy gusty 10knot NW. That should have been the lesson that day.

Teaching tells the wannabes that its ok to do that

"The safe handling of a kite doesn't include flying it on a packed StK beach in a crappy gusty 10knot NW. That should have been the lesson that day."
WORD.

"What is the worst that could happened in 10 knots" - I'm very certain that I could cause someone a lot of harm in 10knts of wind without really trying.

Peterc150 - I don't spend my living moments on this forum - I think I have about 3 different logins - one for each time I've posted as I don't remember them... And they were flying 10M kites, not training kites....

Oh and billyboys, the 2 post thing does look a little suspect. I guess in time we'll see more posts from you which will give credibility to your last post.

Billyboys, you're obviously a kiteboarder so next time you have a safety issue or questions about they way we operate please come and c us in store and have a chat. (we are quite friendly and open to suggestions)

However with only one post, it all feels a bit suspicious and it looks like you have a agenda. (other school, brand or shop maybe?) If not, we apologise in advance.

About the lesson:

We are a IKO accredited school with fully qualified instructors. We operate under a council permit in a dedicated area and adhere to all the rules and regulations.

It is sometimes hard to book/cancel classes in advance as the weather can change quite quickly. We normally aim to teach in 15 knots +. However we sometimes run the first hour of safety, trainer kite and beach activity in 10- 15 knot conditions.

As conditions can change during a lesson we leave it up to the instructors to make the call to stop or postpone a lesson. In this case we where not satisfied with the quality of the wind/lessons so the students where not charged for the second part of their lesson. I'm sure this happens on a daily basis with all kite schools on the beach as non of us control the wind.

We'll will double check with the instructors to make sure they where teaching in the dedicated teaching zone and kept a safe distance to other people on the beach.

We hope this addresses most of your concerns. Maybe drop in for a beer one of these days !

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