Looks like we are gaining interest in the sport which is great and a little concerning. Great to have an opportunity to share a fantastic past time and grow a truly fun lifetime sport. One of our local youngsters Adam from Corcoran just turned 15 and was hucking it up on a 14M in 8mph wind....This sport at times has me thinking like a wrestler and considering dropping weight. For those of you who know me realize this isn't a good option since I work to maintain and try to gain wieght. My 2-4 hr sessions riding don't help. Dorian is the age leader at 74! He's so dialed, efficient and independant you are simply awed. If I'm excluding others who exceed these age parameters chime in and give them props. I know my 11 yr old twin daughters are interested in learning too but I'm developing their board skills in the snow and behind the boat for now and having them fly the trainer. They'll connect the two disciplines soon.
To the tensions and concerning part. We can all relate to trying to Do It Yourself (DIY). Especially the guys. Unfortunately the stats are stacked against our gender when it comes to over selling our ability. For example, when the two genders are polled in swimming ability men tend to oversell thier ability yet the incidents in drowning is greater for men
http://www.health.state.mn.us/injury/best/best.cfm?gcBest=drown. This is slightly dated, 2004, but I doubt our gender has evolved significantly.
Cost is another reason why newbies put themselves and, without fully realizing it, others at risk. The strata of incomes involved in the sport appears to cover all classes. Meaning it is affordable to get into for all but requires some penny pinching for some. Know we, the community, relate and understand. Trying to juggle which gear and how much to get can be overwhelming and at some point some choose to simply cut corners.
How long it takes to learn the sport is another undefinable question to answer which varies by person. If you bring wind experience like sailing and board skills into the equation your learning curve will likely be shorter than someone who has neither and is simply gobsmacked by the sport.
We, the community, those in this forum who post or observe, and on the beaches, applaud your interest in getting into the sport. It is fun to see the progression, experience the success and share the smiles/stoke. We truly are a supportive community with your interests in mind. Even if you are the one who has kept us on edge by trying to simply throw up a kite beachside without much education, we still want to see you succeed. A few in this forum are eager to sell you gear and lessons (like me). You can and will learn how to kite like you see on the vidoes, in magazines and see right here on some of our lakes.
Please view this as an invitation to join us. If you have been spoken to at a launch site or felt a cold shoulder be aware we are looking after your best interest which in turn is in our best interest. Make sense?
Here's a poignant link "rookie" shared in a recent post which couples with some conversatios I have had, witnessed, and now addressing.
http://www.kitemare.com/Save%20our%20Sport!.htmIf you view this as a ploy for me to build business know that I was a kiter for 6 years prior to buying this company and have an incurrable interest. Besides, we all benefit whether it is on a business level, securing access or making a new friend.
We are at the beginnig of the summer, beaches are now opened, the water is warming and the sun feels great. Join us safely so we can expand our relationships and develop our talents.
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