Kite the Bike Path (part deux)

[sc-surfer]

Fair enough! All we can do is our best.

[le noun]

Fair enough! All we can do is our best.

Pretty much. :mrgreen:

[Greg]

Part 3...

On Sunday, somebody tried to come in just below the upper launch over the rocks. This person was not successful... As they were coming up the rocks, their kite fell out of the air and onto the muddy/grassy area behind the bushes. Lines were across the path, with the person still on the rocks. They were lucky that they didn't seriously injure themselves. They were also extremely lucky that they didn't take out a passing pedestrian or cyclist with their lines. The irony here is that they were doing all of this right next to the sign that warns you not to do this :-(

Back in the dayz I surfed we'd put a hurt on people who "disrespected the rules"-.... But those where the days when we'd YELL/ PUNCH someone and they would LEARN (their lesson) instead of calling the POLICE (and making matters WORSE for THEMSELVES and EVERYONE ELSE.....)
This was about RESPECTING others RIGHT to WAVES they EARNED- (NO SNAKING)

With respect to kiting, "the war" on PROPER INSTRUCTION began when BEST KITEBOARDING began DIRECT SALES OVER THE INTERNET and UNDERMINED EVERYTHING that was going on (on the ground/beach) with respect to, "Bringing them INTO the fold"- (becoming a MEMBER of OUR COMMUNITY, as they were being INSTRUCTED)

The REASON many DISRESPECT the "RULES" is because they have NO TEETH (NO ENFORCEMENT),
if for example the above mentioned kiter were to have been CONFRONTED FACE TO FACE for this CLEAR VIOLATION the matter would be OVER. He likely would have LEARNED (the 1ST time!!) and EVERYONE would go about their happy business.....
But, because NO ONE STEPED IN,.... he DISRESPECTED the rules and NOW "we're" DISCUSSING the rules
and he's out FUCKING the flow yet AGAIN----

I hate to have to call you all a bunch of FUCKING PUSSIES but you PUSSIES FUCKING DESERVE WHATEVER YOU GET- (for LAYING DOWN)
L.M.G.

[behindThePeak]

so... despite the extra effort you put into all those pictures... that post added very little value to this conversation.

[kitenaked]

On Friday i was kiting at the racetrack and some kid (19-22) shows up in jeep and walks up to me and asks "How deep is it here? I'm giving lessons and want to know how far I can walk out".

Some city kid...

Just curious... what do you mean by "some city kid"? Where do kids usually come from around here? I see cities all over the Bay Area. Are kiters supposed to come from rural areas? Or by "city" do you mean urban as opposed to suburban? Do people from the suburbs make superior kiters to people from urban areas? I'm not really getting the implied insult.

Who F'n cares where he is from....

If he is teaching, let him figure it out or he shouldn't be teaching. Who does he work for? Who is this character? Who am I?

WHOOOO

[sc-surfer]

L.M.G.,

I don't disagree with you, BUT I want to see kiting NOT become surfing. I live in arguably the surf Capitol of the US and I won't paddle out any more at my home breaks because I come back in feeling more pissed off than when I went out. It totally blows.

Kiting has a much better vibe to it right now and I want to find ways to do the enforcing while still keeping the sport positive. I hope there is a way.

And as far as the body part that represents us, well, you might be right. We ALL need to step it up. Myself included. I try but there some days I'd just rather go kite instead of educating. My bad. I'll step it up. Who's with me?

[kitenaked]

On Friday i was kiting at the racetrack and some kid (19-22) shows up in jeep and walks up to me and asks "How deep is it here? I'm giving lessons and want to know how far I can walk out".

Some city kid...

Just curious... what do you mean by "some city kid"? Where do kids usually come from around here? I see cities all over the Bay Area. Are kiters supposed to come from rural areas? Or by "city" do you mean urban as opposed to suburban? Do people from the suburbs make superior kiters to people from urban areas? I'm not really getting the implied insult.

Who F'n cares where he is from....

If he is teaching, let him figure it out or he shouldn't be teaching. Who does he work for? Who is this character? Who am I?

WHOOOO

Its sounds like a puppy farm

puppy-1.jpg (39.52KiB)Viewed 1307 times

[rvv]

We give this to all our students! And Who is this mysterious city instructor? Is he certified?
Feel free to reprint and hand it out *(

New Kiteboarder Basic Safety Tips

Thanks for taking your kiteboarding lessons with us at KGB Kiteboarding and welcome to the exciting world of kiting! Now that you have finished your basic lessons you are a “newbie kiter” and you are now ready to start practicing on your own or with a friend. We recommend that you start by practicing all the safety techniques and self rescue techniques that you learned during your lessons as well as body dragging for a few hours before attempting your board-starts again. Practicing in this way will give you a solid safety foundation to build upon and make controlling the kite and getting up on the board much, much easier.

Always remember that kiting can be a very dangerous sport, so it is up to every kiter to be safe, independent and responsible for the kite launch spot, themselves and others on the beach and in the water. If you ever perceive someone as possibly being unsafe or are yourself uncertain about safety or any other procedures please speak up at that time! No one at the kite spot wants to get hurt, or hurt anyone else. In many cases there are experienced kiters around that are always willing to help out a new kiter or answer any safety questions. It is up to all of us the keep this sport safe and friendly for all to enjoy.

To help you get started in this exciting sport we have put together some useful information for you to refer to until you get more comfortable out there kiting on your own. If you have any questions about purchasing gear, equipment choices, kiting locations, conditions or anything else kite related we are always available. Please feel free to ask your instructor any questions you may have or give us a call anytime at 888.411.0732.

Here are some kiteboarding safety tips we should all practice:
Use all your safety tools: Lessons, common sense, kite leash, quick releases, knife, helmet, impact vest, booties, sandbags, buddy system, know the forecast and wind & tide conditions, know your ability and stay within your limits!
When at a new spot try to make friends with an experienced kiter to help you get the location conditions and any launch area & kite spot hazards dialed in.
Try to partner with experienced kiters only to help you launch and land your kite. Not Spectators! No self-launching in the launch area. Use assisted launch & landing whenever possible.
Use rigging area only for set-up or take down.
Weight your kite with sand when not in use to keep it secure.
Do a pre-flight check on all your gear.
Walk down your lines through your fingers. Feel for nicks, cuts or knots.
Know your specific safety systems and test them regularly. All kites must have a safety leash, and quick release systems.
Launch, Learn & practice downwind from other kiters as a beginner. This includes the flying of trainer kites.
Launch & land your kite with no solid objects at least 100 yards downwind.
Use launch & landing area only for launching & landing, not for rigging and only when you are completely suited up and ready to enter the water with your kite.
Do not leave bar and lines laid out and walk away. This creates a hazard for the public and other kiters launching & landing in the area. When not in use your Bar and lines should be rolled up and stored on the kite and in the rigging area.
The signal for launch is "thumbs up" By both parties! Make certain your kite is in the correct powered position and not flapping.
The signal for an assisted landing is to "pat your head" Done by both parties! Make certain to be upwind of the kite when catching a landing kite.
Never let a line wrap around any body part! Always carry a hook knife.
No jumps or tricks in the launching area, or within 100 yards of other kiters/beach.
Avoid collisions at all costs. Avoid all watercraft, swimmers & wildlife.
Don’t tailgate other Kiters on the water.
Never kite out further than you can swim back.
The outgoing kiter (launching) has right away over the incoming kiter (riding).
Right hand forward kiter has right of way and shall maintain course, but raise kite high.
Left hand forward kiter must give way and alter course.
Up wind kiter should raise kite for passing.
Down wind kiter should lower kite for passing.
When doing jumps or using kickers, sliders & rails, follow the same rotation and direction as other kiters as to not cause conflicts.
Do not fly any traction kite in close proximity to power lines or any fixed obstacle, (trees, boats, rocks, fences etc) distance is always your friend. Enter the water immediately after launching. Always use a leash that kills the kite's power when the quick release safety system is released. This is for your safety, the safety of those around you, and because we don't want to see anyone lose a kite.
Wind Speed/Effects. Depending on the size of kites you own, you can ride in winds from 10-35 mph, but we suggest newcomers don't try anything over 15-20mph until they are confident in their skills. Be cautious of kiting around structures and near buildings or bluffs as the updrafts and turbulence could cause your kite to fly erratically or even carry you up over the top. Be aware of any obstacles that may create various wind effects that may affect your ability to control the kite.
Kite Size: In general, a 170 lb person would use a 12m inflatable kite in 10-20kt. The heavier the rider is, then the bigger the kite size needed. The lighter the rider the smaller the kite size. The stronger the winds (20kt+) the smaller the kite needed overall. Sounds confusing; it can be. There is a learning curve to judging wind speed and kite size, always error on the side of safety. Common sense should always be used, if not sure of right size for conditions start small and work up in size, or ask an experienced kiter before rigging or going out.
Where to Ride: Toll Plaza beach or Alameda are good places for you to start practicing. Make sure you rig down the beach away from others, have help launching and landing & avoid the power-lines & riprap hazards. These spots are ideal when learning because they have beaches with shallow water. Once you have learned how to ride upwind, are kiting in both directions consistently, making turns & able to handle higher winds (20+kt) you may consider going to 3rd Avenue, Sherman Island and other spots around the bay or the world. See our links page for “local area kite launches” map link.

Please continue to use this as a future reference tool. These tips are meant only as a guide and are by no means a complete kiteboarding safety list. We hope you have a fun and safe time kiting

[le noun]

Greg, maybe you should switch to chamomile tea. :shock:

[CdoG]

At A boy royce good job just drop them from a helicopter at all the sites.