Little girl with smashed face at Alameda today

[windhorny]

I will make this girl a cake if I knew how to get it to her. Can someone please tally contributions online here? Thanks. Also, is the family aware of this site and what is going on? I feel that it is important they see this is a rare incident and that the majority of us are educated people with good hearts.

I wouldn't be surprised if the guy who landed his kite on this girl has no idea all of this is going on.

[robert22]

Windhorny,

The family knows about this forum, but we have decided not to direct them here due to the insensitive comments of a few idiots early on. Charlie "talked" to most of them which is why you see so many deleted/retracted statements. One idiot making an insensitive comment brings us back to square one with the family.

[davidllyon]

Miguel is Luz's godfather, his email is valera_miguel@yahoo.com. He lives across the street from the beach, so I am sure he can get a cake to Luz. Cool!

I let him know we are taking this seriously, that we have a collection going, and we have $158 so far ($160-fees).

I started another topic that is focused more on Luz and her family.

https://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/for ... 299#p59299

[Boardsports]

We (the community) have kite safety guidelines posted on the side of the shack (compiled after a safety meeting which LMG attended years ago). We (the community of kiters) that I have worked with at the launch by the shack, have worked diligently to educate all of our local and visiting kiters (and everyone passing through the launch by the shack) to exercise CARE, SAFETY, AND CONSIDERATION around beach goers. Kiting is a privilege, not a right. Kiting is an obtrusive sport and all kiters should set the example for others by following local guidelines (that the community defines) to protect the public. Every day I educate and ask the public to not sit by the kite launch zone (that we mark with signs every day we are open), and ask kiters launching there to only launch if they have a clear safety/buffer zone around them.

It is up to the individual in the end. No matter how hard we all try, it only takes one incident to jeopardize the safety of beach goers and to tarnish the view and future of our sport.

PLEASE FOLLOW SAFETY GUIDELINES. Here (listed below) is what is posted at the shack. I will speak with the SFBA (san francisco boarding association, community organization that promotes safety and access) about getting guidelines posted down at the lower launch in Alameda.



KITE SAFETY GUIDELINES:
Wind is a mystery; traction kites are powerful. These combined forces can wreak havoc especially in an urban environment.
The Bay Area is one of the most consistently windy places in the United States. A relatively short drive is usually all it takes to find enough wind to kite board. Due to the numerous microclimates in the Bay Area, kiters can often choose their conditions from light to extreme.
Modern traction kiting gear has become very refined, making kites user-friendly. Extremely fast and powerful kites propel riders to great heights and speeds. Introductory gear is very predictable and stable, making kiting easy to learn. In the hands of experienced riders, traction kites appear fairly harmless. Don’t be fooled: traction kites can produce enormous power.
Our urban environment demands that kiters exercise caution especially around the public. Just one serous interaction with the public could threaten kiter access around the bay. With our ever-increasing numbers, kiters have been trying to develop a workable system of self-policing.
It is imperative that we work together so every body can enjoy their day at the beach.

Thanks in advance for reading these guidelines. Using the guidelines below along with common sense judgment will help keep current kiting areas open to kiting and safe for everyone. Ultimately we are responsible for minimizing the risk to ourselves and others.
Have fun and keep it safe!


Beginner Guidelines

• All beginners should get professional instruction from a certified instructor at an established school
• All beginners are encouraged to get at least 6 hours of practice on a training kite before instruction. However, do not fly the trainer until you have read and understand its instruction manual
• Never buy, rig and launch a non-trainer kite before instruction
• Never try to help launch or land a kite before you’ve had instruction

General Guidelines:
• When in doubt, don’t go out
• Kite with a friend and let a non-kiter know where you have gone kiting and when you should return home
• Kitesurfers are responsible for their own safety and for the safety of others in their vicinity
• Always use a proper safety leash
• Always were a helmet, life jacket/Impact vest, harness and wetsuit
• Never kitesurf in off shore or onshore wind
• Check weather forecast before every session. Avoid storms and squalls. Consider not going out in higher winds (20+ knots) and gusty conditions
• Before going out read site specific guidelines and/or talk to other kiters about water hazards, obstacles, land considerations, etc.
• Kiters should yield right of way to all other beach users
• For beach goers’ safety, it is strongly recommended that you do not walk up the beach with your kite in the air
• Be helpful to others and take responsibility for public safety
• Do not leave unused kites on the beach
• Roll up your lines when not in use


Help us all protect kiting access at Crown Beach in Alameda.

FOR RIGGING, LAUNCHING, LANDING, AND SCHOOL ZONES, PLEASE SEE MAP AND RESPECT DESIGNATED AREAS

Launch Area:
• The launch zone must remain clear of equipment. It is for launching and landing only. Additionally, launch areas are typically based on kiter consensus and not sanctioned by law. Often they are also the launch area for windsurfing, kayaks, etc. That means that anyone has the right to stand in the launch land area and you are responsible for their safety. Ask bystanders to "Please remain clear"

Pre Launching:
• MAINTAIN A SAFETY ZONE around you of a minimum of 200 ft (or approximately 2 kite line lengths at all times!)
• Set up kite and clear all tangled lines
• Ensure that all safety systems are properly working
• Always prevent kites from inadvertent launching on the beach by weighting with sand etc…
Launching:
• Attach kite safety leash
• Make sure that launch zone area is clear and there are no incoming kiters.
• Look in the launch area before signaling to be launch. Ask bystanders to "Please move out of the launch zone” before you launch
• Don’t fly your kite at 12:00 over land.
• Whenever possible, launch toward the water, keep your kite low and go. Self launching is discouraged. Please ask for assistance
• When launching, make sure that kite is free of sand before release (This is a courtesy to other beach users)
• Launch kites only from designated areas
• Leave the beach in a slow and controlled manner, but do not hesitate to get to the water
• Beginners should body drag 200’ out before water starting
• No beach jumping

On the Water/Right of Way:

• Starboard tack has right of way (right hand forward is starboard, left is port)
• Right of way does not mean you can veer up or down wind. While passing, maintain your course
• While passing another kiter who is down wind of you, fly your kite high; if you are the down wind kiter, fly your kite low
• Keep clear of all beach goers, swimmers, and waders. They always have right of way
• Downwind kiters/windsurfer has the right of way (they can’t see behind them)
• Kiter should give way to other water crafts (kiters can maneuver easily, others can't)
• Don’t jump 50m upwind of another water user
• Incoming kiters should let launching kiters go out first before landing
• Jump and jibe at least 200’ outside shore break and swimming area
• Always yield to ALL other water users
• DO NOT COME WITHIN 200’ OF THE BEACH OR SWIM AREAS UNLESS LAUNCHING OR LANDING!! …

Landing:
• If you are on the water and can’t water relaunch and you are drifting toward the beach w/swimmers or bystanders, you must perform a self rescue before your kite reaches them – 200’ Minimum!
• Be sure that no one is launching as you come in
• Self landing is discouraged. Obtain assistance for landing your kite
• If you have been taken down wind, do not ask beach goers to help land your kite; self land in the water
• If you must walk your kite upwind, please only do so where the kite can be flown over the water and where you can maintain the 200' safety zone
• Roll-up your lines immediately after landing and move your kite out of the launching/landing zone

[windhorny]

So with that said is Boardsports going to contribute anything to the donation?

[maxsteamer]

Hello Kiters,

The only thing I would like to add is..I found that if you have lose sand on your kite.. it is better to walk to the inside of the kite to remove the sand..by shaking all panels of the kite from the inside.

If you dump the sand into the wind... and there are other kiters or beach goers in that immediate area it could get in there eyes.. if they have just applied sun screen it could be serious.

I always ask all the kiters at the lower launch to read the rules posted at the shack.. I answer to the girls as they intrust Pam and I to follow all posted rules to the T and this is all about understanding the importance and safe kiting to keep our access.. some kiters think by coming to the lower launch that they can do what they want?? This is not true..if you kite here you must know how to self rescue???.. or you will be sent up to the shack for this lesson..all of our crew here are told to refuse a launch to any kiter that cannot at least tell us how this is done on the beach as well as in the water.. we all know each other at this launch.. so your eather with us or your not.

Max be with You " " and always use caution when kiting

[windhorny]

If the sunbathers applied KGB Swag Kitelife, the sand wouldn't stick to their skin. And if it did, you would only have to give the sunbather a quick "shake" and all that sand would just fall off. But i agree, there should be a huge sign that says "PLEASE do not get sand on people at the beach!"

[Boardsports]

max and yuri,
do you guys want to help me host a bbq/fundraiser for the girls family? we can offer a free self rescue and safety guideline clinic for everyone.
name a date and i'm in!

[Greg]

I'll help you, I'll do some demo's of self rescue and body dragging....
We should have a little body drag-off! These are very solid skills for all kiters to know.

[windhorny]

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