Sorry to open with a rant, but I had a rather unpleasant encounter with a kiter at Dutchies on the weekend. I fell in gybing close to shore (not unusual!) and heard a thud behind me as a kite hit the water 6 feet behind. The kite was then dragged over me, all with the kiter repeatedly shouting at me "GET OUT OF THERE" (and go where, and how?). The kite lines dragged over me, caught on my rear footstrap, & the whole thing could have easily ended badly (for me that is). I have to admit to returning a few choice words as well!
I, up to this point, have had no issues with kiters. I even envy their aerobatics and light wind ability, and actually thought of trying it, if my old bones could still bend rather than break! However, there is one big difference between the sports. Windsurfing is of very limited risk to anyone else, kiting is potentially deadly. I know there have been issues regarding kiting in Cottesloe, but are there any rules regarding their proximity to us? They seem to move further upwind everytime I sail at Dutch Inn, and today I was sailing right under someones lines, feeling far too nervous.... I'm tempted to carry a line cutter

Cheers for the support eyespy - I don't want to start a war, I just don't want anyone (esp & selfishly me) to be hurt. Unfortunately it looks like someone is going to be. I welcome input from kiters on this issue - hissey fits or not!

In case you hadn't noticed these right of way rules are taken from other wind sports such as sailing, windsurfing and boating so you would think they would apply in most situations not just "Kiter vs Kiter".

Hey Airhead...

Nice one for sorting the story Pretty nasty situation for all involved.

I met some kiters once, and they were alright

Peace wind lovers

Pugs

Wow, a victory for reason and good manners, may everybody take a lesson from this!!!!! There's hope for the world yet!
Not sure how the Zones at dutchies works, but if the kites are confined to a narrow area, seems apropriate for windsurfers to try and stay clear of their zone. From what I remember there's only a small launch spot that's free of reef, does have to be shared???

This incident has started me thinking, if perchance I'm in that situation, hanging on to windsurfer with kite lines trailing over me, what's the safest/best thing to do?????
Can I use the rig to act as a buffer between me and those lines???
Certainly can't waterstart until clear of lines.
Don't want to hold the lines in case kite launches, so eyespy's solution of using a knife could be just as dangerous.
Is it possible to swim the rig across the lines very carefully??

Decrep,

If kite lines are trailing over you, this is what you do.

1. Abandon windsurf gear.
2. Dive deep and swim underwater to clear lines.
3. Surface and survey scenario.
4. When the dust has settled, reclaim your gear and continue ripping the waves.

Handy Tip by 'slave.

so why are we talking about how to get out of danger when it happens?
it shouldnt happen in the first place
i have absolutely nothing against kiters
i went to dutchies for the first time last week
hated the place!
1 there were no waves
2 kites flying all over the place
these kites can be lethal no matter whos flying them as we have just read from this post
airhead sounds like he knows what he is doing
so.... accidents happen and when they do we hope that know one has to abandon anything
therefore we have to stay away from each other
kites downwind of windsurfer sounds like a good rule to start
good luck kiters and keep doing what you do best....
having fun :)
see you out there

To the wind surfer at Cottesloe. I'm the WA kite surfing Association guy at Cottesloe so will let you know what we are up to. Sorry from WAKSA about the crash. MOST about 95% of the kiters at Cottesloe are regular/ Cottesloe locals and all respect and avoid, as much as possible windsurfers. WE all know the rules. Windsurfers are mainly up by the small groyne and kiters 100m north. However we do get the occasional learner and or out of state/ euro commin to town and they can cause a few problems. As kiters we try as soon as possible to talk to these gdanderoue types and get them out of the area.

By the sounds of the crash the light wind caused a few problems. I'm sure airhead just had a momentary " **** what is going on".

I've been kiting at Cottesloe for 4 years and 99.9% of the time all parties get on well.
WAKSA is printing up brochures and posting a kite rating system for Cottesloe that states it is NOT A PLACE FOR LEARNER KITERS. Also to avoid all wind surfers. This will be available from all kiting shops and on a sign at Cottesloe soon.

PS I was never at windsurfer myself, but a surfer for 20 years before giving kiting ago. But I would reckon about 70-90% of kiters are Cottesloe are windsurfers.

Jonathan Keys WAKSA rep Cottesloe 0401 60 3838

Call any time if you guys have a bitch about the kiters, WAKSA is very keen to sort out any issues.

PS about kite lines.

In my experience having kited for hundreds of hours, kite lines are of little to dander to others if the kite is on the water, and in experienced hands. THe new kites are very easy to use, and are not as dangeroues as kites a few years ago. Most kites now have full
100% depower safety systems that fully depower the kite in micro seconds.



WAKSA/ Kiters will keep the learner kiters away from Cottesloe and we all will be safe.

Has a kiter killed a windsurfer ever anywhere in the world ??

I haven't read of any deaths.

i was out there yesterday evening also. 10-12 kiters and the place is a real jungle. can't see it getting any better anytime soon. there were probably a couple of kiters who shouldn't have been there or at least put up smaller kites. the wind on the top of the small cliff and even on the beach can be very deceiving sometimes and it can be a lot stronger than it looks...

I am not sure what it is like around cottesloe, but the vibe around scarborough is good, I am sure we all give each other the ****s some times but we just deal with it. We sail under, around kite lines all the time and I would say "most" of us windsurfers have no problems with that. Dare I say we even say gday to each other. The kiters around scabs are generally pretty good so you feel safe to share the water.

In the odd chance we do get in each others way it is nothing unusual. Between the clubbies (ski's and paddle boards, swimming races etc.) boogie boarders, swimmers, surfers, kiters, windsurfers and all round general tourists etc. I guess we have learnt that you will always get in each others way.

Hey Leski,

You can't take No.1 Tip out of context from a list of 4 and expect to make sense.
Read No.2 Tip.

"Dive deep and swim underwater to clear lines".

It would be difficult to achieve No.2 Tip while remaining with your windsurf gear.
Correct ?

(Although I did witness once a Margies local duck-dive his whole rig under a bomb to avoid breakage).

He surfaced in the waterstart position and sailed away.
Priceless.


But what was I discussing again.....
Oh yeah, avoiding injury due to kite lines.

Carry on.

Regards
'slave

Contrary to my previous question,
it's only fair that I should ask the following.....

Has a windsurfer killed a kiter ever anywhere in the world ?

Nah, I didn't think so.

Well then, that makes it a scoreless draw.
It's time we had a penality shoot-out ! [}:)]

Polesurfers have got it easy....

Just say I crash my kite in the cruel sea and I'm attempting a relaunch.
At the same time that this is happening, a kook kiter crashes his kite nearby,
dropping his lines all over me.
Spaghetti with tossed salad.

Man, what do I do ?
Do I dive deep while abandoning the kite ?
TWANG....bye bye kite.

(Loose kites tumbling along out to sea are an awesome spectacle to watch).

That random rollin' is hypnotic.

Regards
'slave

I think the smartest thing to do would be to abandon your rig. Im a newb kiter, and proud of it! But iv seen kite lines do horrible things to flesh. Theres a whole lot of power in those stings so if there is an accident, god forbid, id just try to get the hell out of there.