Flying kites on land
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:12 am
Saturday, July 12, was another typical light wind day in Alameda. I almost had a mishap with a group of kiters riding the 12 meter red and white Naish Sigma walking along the beach. Dudes, again I apologize, my kite dropped in front of you guys on my way in when the wind died, I did not mean to do that.
Anyway, as I was packing up, I noticed another group of kiters flying their kites on land.
The dude was clueless. He was riding a 7 meter Caution spitfire, crashing, relaunching, powering up with kids and their parents a couple of feet away from the downed and powered up kites. No wetsuit, no helmet, he has a harness, but he was flying unhooked.
I rushed to his assistant and ask him if they knew what they were doing, guy could not answer me, said he does not know how to speak english. So I rushed towards him asking him if he knew what he was doing.
He gave me this bad ass attitude telling me off. So I got pissed and gave him a mouthful of words, he was lucky that he was flying his kite, I almost grabbed his bar and wringed it around his neck. This is a first, a clueless beginner I'm trying to help, cops out an attitude telling me off.
I still tried to reason with him, explaining to him that he can injure the kids playing around him, especially his son whose head was less than a foot away from his powered up lines. I warned him not to launch his kite any more and go up the shack and take lessons. He can go ahead and hurt his kid with his flying kite lines, he can just sue himself later. I just don't want him injuring the other kids at this point.
I think I got him rattled enough where he decided to take a break. I walked away before things could escalate and I start punching him.
Max later spoke with the group and explained to them why we are enforcing kiting etiquette. Hopefully he understands and play safer on the beach. Max told me that he was going to apologize to me, but he just walked past me while he was packing, not saying anything.
So, watch for this group in Alameda:
Asian dudes, don't know their ethnic background (i.e. don't know if they are Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, etc..). I would guess Chinese or Vietnamese. They drive a van with a blue ocean kayak rigged up on the roof, probably 11 to 12 feet long. They ride a quiver of old Caution Spitfire kites, probably just recently got it from craigslist or ebay.
Anyway, as I was packing up, I noticed another group of kiters flying their kites on land.
The dude was clueless. He was riding a 7 meter Caution spitfire, crashing, relaunching, powering up with kids and their parents a couple of feet away from the downed and powered up kites. No wetsuit, no helmet, he has a harness, but he was flying unhooked.
I rushed to his assistant and ask him if they knew what they were doing, guy could not answer me, said he does not know how to speak english. So I rushed towards him asking him if he knew what he was doing.
He gave me this bad ass attitude telling me off. So I got pissed and gave him a mouthful of words, he was lucky that he was flying his kite, I almost grabbed his bar and wringed it around his neck. This is a first, a clueless beginner I'm trying to help, cops out an attitude telling me off.
I still tried to reason with him, explaining to him that he can injure the kids playing around him, especially his son whose head was less than a foot away from his powered up lines. I warned him not to launch his kite any more and go up the shack and take lessons. He can go ahead and hurt his kid with his flying kite lines, he can just sue himself later. I just don't want him injuring the other kids at this point.
I think I got him rattled enough where he decided to take a break. I walked away before things could escalate and I start punching him.
Max later spoke with the group and explained to them why we are enforcing kiting etiquette. Hopefully he understands and play safer on the beach. Max told me that he was going to apologize to me, but he just walked past me while he was packing, not saying anything.
So, watch for this group in Alameda:
Asian dudes, don't know their ethnic background (i.e. don't know if they are Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, etc..). I would guess Chinese or Vietnamese. They drive a van with a blue ocean kayak rigged up on the roof, probably 11 to 12 feet long. They ride a quiver of old Caution Spitfire kites, probably just recently got it from craigslist or ebay.