Or are too many people just learning by themselves , or getting an inexperienced mate to teach them?

Twice now this season while being launched I've have someone just let go of the kite before I looked at them and gave the thumbs up.

Safety rule #1 of launching someone's kite. look for them to give you a definitive thumbs up!!!

Both times, they just let the kite go without warning and while I was looking to see that the lines were good. The latest incident this morning could have turned out very badly. I'm grateful that I'm not injured, or worse.

It's becoming a worry these days when you're in a spot where self - launching isn't a good idea and you're relying on someone you might not know to launch your kite. I've been kiting for 20 years and have never encountered a problem like this until this season. What has changed?

I'd like to say for the few very good instructors who are very thorough - nothings changed...
As for the rest unfortunately, its the usual lack of common sense and entitlement era mixed together.

Everyone is an ace on their phone watching millions of tik tok & youtube vids - not enough brains for a basic kiteboarding safety instructional search.
Ask them about Red Tube and Porn Hub their all Champs

i havent met a kiteing student since bloody 2015 that has any idea what a deep water packdown even is

all the shops hire brazilian blow ins and no one gives 2 ****s

the pay rate isnt even close to sustainable and it has shown no one can retain an instructor for longer then a season or 2 and none of them even care to because there will always be another south american / euro backpacker blow in to fill the spot

even friends of mine have offered to pay me 50$ a hour knowing full well i have owned schools in the past and charged 100$ a hour and with that 50 they ummd and ahhd ..... get real

its 2025 it should be EASILY $150 to $200 a hour for the owner operator and at least $100 a hour given to the seasoned instructor.
iko absolutely shot themselves in the foot trying to expand out theyre lessons from 2hrs x 3days to whatever absolute nonsense they have now its ridiculous . they were always crooks anyways but AUSTRALIA kiteboarding has always been just thieves hanging out for the crooks scraps and the only reason i dont compete and win is cause they force me to try join an organisation they once asked me to write for them FOR FREE

you want me to do an ops manual for free ?? piss on my mothers face and tell her its champagne it would be less offensive

I thought this pic was pretty remnant for when 25yr long kiters or windsurfers/new wingers go back to have a session @the same place where there are heaps of the new 'KA' mob

No offence ....

i dont think so. I came to aus in 2016 and people here generally kite a bit more relaxed without much appreciation for possible dangers. i think this is because the conditions are usually very friendly, soft sand, a lot of space etc. There's less of a focus on safety.

Just saw a kiter the other day casually walk to his car in a park through trees keeping his kite at 12 o clock. I was a bit perplexed.

Select to expand quote

Kit3kat said..
i dont think so. I came to aus in 2016 and people here generally kite a bit more relaxed without much appreciation for possible dangers. i think this is because the conditions are usually very friendly, soft sand, a lot of space etc. There's less of a focus on safety.

Just saw a kiter the other day casually walk to his car in a park through trees keeping his kite at 12 o clock. I was a bit perplexed.l

.
Lol! That's funny

That's a good point

. I used to do that all the time until the car parks became full post corona&campsites get closed due to 'overpromotion'. And the 'over use' of GoPros. ..
.
I do sometimes forget my cup of tea though and ciggies and have to pop back to get them...sometimes that gets a bit dramatic
....