Please turn your stoke meter down a notch and your safety meter up to full!

Couple of tips:
- Ask someone for a launch. Don't try and self launch if you arnt confident. If a guy who's already flying a kite comes to save/help you then maybe have a think about what's happening.
- Start as far up wind the beach as you can. Not almost on the reef at the downwind end.
- Talk to someone who's been out or is setting up and ask about the dangers and what to look out for if you have never been to the beach before. Don't tell me you didn't know the reef was there after I just saved you from it. PS: waves break on shallow things.
- Get lessons. They are worth it. Don't ask me if anyone does lessons in town after I have just saved you from where a bloke passed away last week.

If you read this please don't think I'm having a dig. I just want others to see this and maybe it will make them think when they are in the same situation.

To all learners; I know the tingle you get when the wind blows but please assess all aspects of what you are about to do. Kiting is dangerous.

best kite lesson I ever got was to learn to self-launch, having a kook launching you is more dangerous imo

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HighzaKite said...
best kite lesson I ever got was to learn to self-launch, having a kook launching you is more dangerous imo

Yeah totally agree their . Learn to land and launch yourself, saves some wingnut ditching your kit in the air and hot launching you

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Nathe said...

HighzaKite said...
best kite lesson I ever got was to learn to self-launch, having a kook launching you is more dangerous imo

Yeah totally agree their . Learn to land and launch yourself, saves some wingnut ditching your kit in the air and hot launching you

Dependant on conditions of beach and winds
No way would you of self launched at our spot tonight without catching a line on something, we've had 2 days of solid swell, and with that comes branches, large banks of ribbon weed
As for kooks launching, it's the rider who's responsible for positioning in the wind window not the launcher, the launcher is just there to hold the kite and wait for your instructions, not to run up and downwind

Seen plenty of self launch heroes come to grief over the years. No shame in getting someone to launch you. Much safer for everyone.
As Cauncy said, "it's the rider who's responsible for positioning in the wind window not the launcher".

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cauncy said..
As for kooks launching, it's the rider who's responsible for positioning in the wind window not the launcher, the launcher is just there to hold the kite and wait for your instructions, not to run up and downwind

couldn't agree more

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kkiter said...
Seen plenty of self launch heroes come to grief over the years. No shame in getting someone to launch you. Much safer for everyone.
As Cauncy said, "it's the rider who's responsible for positioning in the wind window not the launcher".

Won't name but a pretty high profile kiter and film maker called in at my local heading north doing some promoting, I asked was he ready for a launch, he said nah I'm good, I said you will be if you attach all your lines, anyone myself included makes balls up in their heights, imho your better spotting it in the hands of a launcher or on a teather than in the air as your hurtling down the beach

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tgcp said..

cauncy said..
As for kooks launching, it's the rider who's responsible for positioning in the wind window not the launcher, the launcher is just there to hold the kite and wait for your instructions, not to run up and downwind

couldn't agree more

Except for the kooks who dont wait for instructions or throw your kite in the air or can't even hold it into the wind correctly

true that , its funny how a 4 line kite doesnt fly too well when you only connect the steering lines , I can tell you it's even funnier when your mate lets go to "See what will happen"

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kkiter said...
Seen plenty of self launch heroes come to grief over the years. No shame in getting someone to launch you. Much safer for everyone.
As Cauncy said, "it's the rider who's responsible for positioning in the wind window not the launcher".

How's self launching make you a hero? Most the time I don't have a choice as there is nobody around and yes tethered launch where possible is safer

To summarise -always get an assisted launch and land if there is an appropriate person to lend a hand, especially if the spot is crowded or there are obstacles-

beginners should definitely learn how to self launch and land this is an important basic kite skill, practice this on a wide open beach on a light wind day- check out the vids by cbulota they are the best.

Intermediates and advanced kiters- take it easy on the learners remember you were there once, be open and forthcoming with advice- try to correct bad practices but don't be a dick about it.

if you see some dodgy stuff going on be sure to try get them to stop and show them the error in their ways- managing good practices at your local is everyone's responsibility

Remember that your never too good to lend a hand and your never so good you'll never need somone elses help

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Youngbreezy said...
To summarise -always get an assisted launch and land if there is an appropriate person to lend a hand, especially if the spot is crowded or there are obstacles-

beginners should definitely learn how to self launch and land this is an important basic kite skill, practice this on a wide open beach on a light wind day- check out the vids by cbulota they are the best.

Intermediates and advanced kiters- take it easy on the learners remember you were there once, be open and forthcoming with advice- try to correct bad practices but don't be a dick about it.

if you see some dodgy stuff going on be sure to try get them to stop and show them the error in their ways- managing good practices at your local is everyone's responsibility

Remember that your never too good to lend a hand and your never so good you'll never need somone elses help

But Christian is on a sl and sl friendly beach
Don't assume everyone has such a luxury
Only takes a couple of seconds to launch your mates/ visiting kiters /newborns safely, creates a good vibe too, good attitude dude

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Kamikuza said..

tgcp said..

cauncy said..
As for kooks launching, it's the rider who's responsible for positioning in the wind window not the launcher, the launcher is just there to hold the kite and wait for your instructions, not to run up and downwind

couldn't agree more

Except for the kooks who dont wait for instructions or throw your kite in the air or can't even hold it into the wind correctly

Kamikuza couldnt agree more.letting go prematurely is probably one of the simplest but worst hazards.v anmoying and wrong & dangerous
Kiters job to position himself true