Stay connected in the wind. This forum is for anyone who rides the wind, winter or summer, on whatever board suits their fancy. Share the stoke, find out where people are going, ask any question, share your discoveries, and discuss any esoteric idea you may have related to the pursuit of wind. Please keep it positive.
We had a little incident at the launch yesterday afternoon. A kiter landing his kite in the grassy area behind the volley ball court accidentally dropped his lines over the cab of a parked truck that had launched two jet skis. The owner of the truck was in a bad mood because his jet ski wasn't running well, so the lines over his cab were enough to set him off and he verbally went after the smaller of the two riders. I didn't know either of the riders, both were very apologetic, but the truck owner wouldn't back off and drove away still pissed, he was a real jerk, I would never lend him my kite or board!!
At one point he mentioned that he had as much right as we did to the launch. No one suggested to him that he was in the way or to get out of the way. I wonder if the 4-5 kites in the area made him nervous?
A couple of points: Let's make sure those of us who use the launch have all paid our dues to the Sportsman's Club and if the launch is congested with swimmers or boat launchers it might cause less anexiety to non kiters if we launched and landed out in the water away from the congestion at the launch.
It was a good day out there yesterday, the ramps in the SE corner were building.
I'm trying to envision this... walking through the narrow opening (maybe 20 feet between the dock and picnic shelter?) while flying a kite. On one side is a row of trees at the shoreline, a small roofed set of picnic tables, and a few larger trees with the volleyball area before a grassy open area straight ahead, often with parked cars. On the other side of the opening large trees, buildings, and the road. Add the traffic of boaters coming in and out, swimmers, and usually others as you approach the volley ball court. With S, SW winds the trees and houses are producing vortexes to make flying the kite just a little more exciting and dangerous to the unsuspecting bystanders.
Really? That's the best place to land a kite?
I used to kite there a lot. Standard (and safer) practice used to be to land it to a catcher out in the bay or self-land it on the water and walk it in.
The jetski guy's bad attitude is the least alarming thing about this report.
Good points Dean, I would agree with those completly. I believe as kiters we have less right to be at drag than boaters and locals who use the park. Our actions should reflect that. Keep in mind that if it is percieved by the general public that kiters are taking over the park, the launch, causing incidents, ect... That it will be the kiters loosing the rights to set up and kite these wonderful lakes. That is why we should always give rights to others and make way for them, take extra care not to negitively impact them. I have seen many examples of kiters making positive impacts on boaters over the years, helping at the launch, friendly interactions, sending positive messages, ect.... Its the perception of others that is key to keeping our launches so I believe we should always keep that in our minds as we interact with each other and the general public. We currently have the same rights, however if we are not carefull, considerate and respectful we will not.
Rob Hyland
Cabrinha Shop Rider / Lakawa Team Rider
I cant imagine walking up that launch with kite overhead or trying to land the kite on land either. Especially with boaters in the area, hoping the kiter had a really good reason of doing so (personally I cant think of any reasons for doing so). From experience of rigging in the grassy area I know the wind there is very unpredictable, a skilled person would have issues bringing a kite in and should not do so if its going to give a bad impression on non-kiters. Again its all about how we are being percieved, if a kite falls and lines come down on people or thier stuff, its going leave some negitive thoughts.
Rob Hyland
Cabrinha Shop Rider / Lakawa Team Rider
I agree with Barry and Rob....you can hardly set up a kite near the courts without the swirl affecting you let alone walk through the launch with a kite overhead. Please elaborate....
I was watching the guy with the skis and he did not appear to be having a very good day, so add
the incident and it helped fuel his fire. Back a couple weeks ago there was a couple attempting to
launch a pontoon while a novice kiter was passing back and forth in front of the dock. This made them
nervous enough not to launch. Hopefully these people don't get together and swap stories.
If the land owners down there ever start to think we are getting in the way I doubt that the few passes
we kiters buy to use the park will carry much influence. Lets give them all the room we can.
Peter
I didn't know the other 3 kiters, nice guys, they all had the kiting skills out on the water and they went out of their way to diffuse a difficult situation.
This summer I have read several posts regarding questionable judgement calls at our local launches. Thankfully we are discussing what might have happened, injury/ damage/ etc, as opposed to what did happen. I think it comes down to erring on side of safety and understanding that some riders of all experience levels are not as familiar with potential launch area hazzards as others. Hopefully with continuous gentle reminders safer launching, landing, and riding decisions will be made.
Tense situations and anger definitely kill the stoke of a great session.
I think as a community it would be great if a group of experienced kiters would put on a free clinic, let's say at Milacs to teach anyone who is interested in knowing how to self launch and land and what is the safest way to get in and out of the water and proper edict on riding around other people and so on. I think there would be a good turn out, if no wind make it a day at the beach and BBQ and beer.
