before i go out kitesurfing on the way i listen to the most heavy music i can grab off my bedroom floor. it gets me really pump.. i was wondering if it did ne good 4 others??

nothing like listening to some Rise Against on the way to the kite beaches :D

respect... i usually listen to the same thing half of the times on the way to beach or an upbeat music... definitelly not techno though... also a good set of fast funky breakbeats works a treat...

In fact, i'm sure that there is a medical/biological explanation behind it, as heavy music 100% makes impact when it comes to any physical activity, and gives you easily 50% more adrenalin, and energy. Especially if it has strong, catchy upbeat feel that makes you get into it as soon as you hear it, because it increases your heart rate, and makes you want to move more and harder.

Now, the ideal thing would be to find a waterproof set of ipod and headphones.

that's interesting, there is such a device it's called a Drypod a bit expensive but well worth a look i think.

h2oaudio.com/

Team "riders" Laird Hamilton, Layne Beachley (If I'm not mistaken) plus many more wakeriders, kitesurfers and surfers.. Should do the trick!

Hi All,

I think kiting to music would be awesome, in the right environment. I think that when kiting in normal spots like Scarbs, Pinnas, Melville and woodies, it ould be a good idea to have your ears tuned to the splash of other boards and kites around you.

To deprive you of hearing could be dangerous to you and other kiters around you.

But hey, in big downwinders or in deserted riding locations it would have to be awesome!

Good winds,

If I can't call out STARBOARD because you're wearing an ipod I'll have to resort to hand singles, be warned

Why would you shout out starboard?

No no, there is a more sophisticated solution to all this:

- all kiters are to be equipped with the following:
- waterproof music player/headphones (and mini integrated mic) with...
- ... integrated radio communication system that detects others in proximity of 50 meters, and automatically lowers the volume of the music and allows communications with incomming kitesurfer buddy.

- The next generation of this unit would come with automatic piloting synchronisation system, where it detects the direction of travel of the incomming kiter (regardless if from the front or behind), then detects the direction of the wind and automatically calculates which kiter is downwind, and then with a pleasant sexy female voice tells you to keep to left/right and to keep your kite low/high...

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DaveSpruce said...

Why would you shout out starboard?

Oh Dave

Back to sailing school for you

Back to sailing school? I never went in the first place. Don't think you should assume that everyone on the water knows sailing terminology. In most cases a look and mutual understandment resolves 99% of the cases, in the rest of them I prefer dodging myself and not waiting for the other person to do so.

Just know if someone had shouted out starboard to me I would, 1, not have a clue which side starboard is, 2, not know whether you or I should go "starboard".

Does this mean deaf people aren't allowed to kite? Because they can't hear an incoming rider??

Good one Dave, I agree. that person would get a big dumb blonde look from me. And i probably wouldnt hear him cause i'd be singing to myself too loudly. Who needs music, make your own. hahaha.

Check it out now........the funksoul brother....... right about now.......the funksoul brother............ "STARBOARD!!!" What the?.......................... Right about now...................................

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DaveSpruce said...

Don't think you should assume that everyone on the water knows sailing terminology.

It's not necessarily a mater of knowing sailing terminology, it's basic system of right-of-way for water users. The sailor (windsurf or kitesurfer) on starboard tack has the right-of-way when approaching a sailor coming in the opposite direction. (Starboard tack means you will have your right shoulder forwards with the wind coming over it)


disclaimer 1: except if you're riding switch stance or on a wave or some overriding local rule applies, etc


If you don't know your port from starboard, try to remember this little ditty:

There's no red port left!


disclaimer 2: I know with kites the upwind sailor lifts his kite and downwind sailor lowers his kite, so you guys really don't care much for the starboard-tack rule but there just may be an occasion when you cross paths with a windsurfer and if he calls starboard now you have no excuse for not understanding him

Fair enough.. still won't remember it though. Common sense and smarts will resolve most problems, not shouting at each other Also shouting out "go/stay downwind" or "go/stay upwind" would make everyone understand I reckon if you HAVE to shout anything

I suggest taking the time to learn about right-of-way rules. Understanding someone's yelling STARBOARD might save you lotsa mula in the future...
Check your insurance fine print.

It's not that much more complicated than understanding the tap-on-the-head sign ("what? you need a hat?")...

I agree with uvblue and knot board. As an analogy, bicycle riders on the road should still know the basic rules of the road (give way rules, red traffic lights mean stop etc) even though they may not have passed a driving test.

Same for kitesurfing. If you cant remember starboard rule, an easy way for twintip riders is right foot forward gives you right of way. Obviously that takes second place to the commonsense that will serve you 99% of the time

Very well put Kitesplosh and the explanation with right foot first, riding to the right has right of way is what I've always followed too. Much easier to understand and remember than shouting terminology at each other. Must also say over the 6 years I've kited I've nevere, ever, heard ANYONE shout anything like port or starboard at me, or anyone else for that matter. Commonsense, respect and mutual understandment will solve 99% of the cases