New kite and more dumb questions

[vant20]

Hi,

I talked some more with my instructor and I decided to buy a new '08 Naish Cult. This is what I learned on and it seems to be the safest route. I am really trying to stay out of trouble for my own and other's sake.

I am the proud owner of 12m kite now and a bit poorer too. Can't have your cake and eat it too #-o

The wind season is winding down and I am trying to figure out how to still make progress on my learning. I do not have expectations of too much fun, just trying to get ready-er for next one. Does it make sense for a beginner to do the following:

1. launch from the Sherman Island park with or without a board
2. go downwind towards Little Baja
3. land the kite in the water and self rescue there
4. walk back (or setup some car arrangements before hand)

Thanks!

[kitecrazy]

Vant20,

Glad you asked the questions(s). I've been kiting at little baja for the last few years.

I've seen people do what you describe with and without a board. What ever works best for you. You just need to be careful as you drag around the point as there are poles embedded in the rocks by the unoccupied park pay booth. Please start out by doing a self rescue as opposed to walking up the sandbags at little baja and trying to self land. You will be able to self land with more experience, but start out dumping the kite in the water. If you are going to walk back, make sure you either clip some sandals to your harness or use booties. You dont have to get out at the sand bags, you can go further if you are willing to climb up the rocks. Having car arrangments will make it easier to go further down the levee so consider that.
If there is anyone at little baja, they'll most likely be more than willing to help. If there is wind this weekend and you happen to be at Sherman, stop by little baja, check out the area and talk with the crew there.

[vant20]

Please start out by doing a self rescue as opposed to walking up the sandbags at little baja and trying to self land. You will be able to self land with more experience, but start out dumping the kite in the water..... If there is wind this weekend and you happen to be at Sherman, stop by little baja, check out the area and talk with the crew there.

Good point, I will make sure to stop at little baja on my way up. If there is too much wind I will do something else instead.

Self landing sounds like an interesting concept to talk about :)

[kitecrazy]

I self launch and self land my kite at little baja quite a bit. Of the two procedures, the launching presents the most danger to person and equipment (both you and kite go through barbed wire/cars on road). I prefer self launching and being the last person out on the water over being involved in a buddy-launch (where one person launches the other, then with their kite in the air, holds the second persons kite for launch). [-X

Self landing the kite if done correctly is very benign and leaves the kite ready to be picked up and launched again. If self landing is not done smoothly and a safety release needs to be pulled, you may have to re-string your lines or your kite may end up in the barbed-wire. ](*,)

Keep in mind that I use Waroo-esque SLE kites; self launching and landing this style of kite seems to be (someone will prove me wrong, no doubt) easier when compared to other styles of kites. Thats just my personal experience.

If you do make it out there, ask for Jason (me). I'd be happy to share the ins and outs with you.

[adamrod]

be careful with your 12m kite at sherman. I kite a lot and kite at sherman quite a bit and I own a 12m kite and I've ridden my 12 probably once this entire year there. It's usually pretty windy there. I was on a 6m yesterday. Scroll back a few weeks ago to read the story of the guy who got seriously hurt on his 12m at Sherman...

[vant20]

Scroll back a few weeks ago to read the story of the guy who got seriously hurt on his 12m at Sherman...

That story is fresh in my mind but thanks for reminding me. Initially I plan to:

• use my kite on days like past Sunday when people were out on formula boards and I was uphauling my 7.0 ](*,)
• practice self rescue quite a bit
• get more lessons -- seems to be hard to align my schedule with the available spots

[Bulldog]

The season at Sherman is over now, and there are alot less people kiting there. There's really no reason for anyone to kite at Little Baja anymore, and you will see fewer and fewer people out there as the summer denizens migrate to their off-season habitat at the county park.

Nat is still around, which means if the wind is good on any given weekend, he may still be doing his taxi rides upwind. Take a boat ride upriver and ride down to the county park launch. It will be much less crowded and intimidating than in the summer, just ask for help when you come in.

Don't wear a board leash!

And like Adam said, be careful with the 12. Fall wind at Sherman can be much stronger than summer wind; either that or light and fluky (good conditions for getting lofted).

p.s. -- did anyone else see the morons walking across the levee road down by the big powerlines last night with their kites in the air? This is a major no-no! If you end up that far downwind, self-rescue and wrap your lines before you get out the water.

[K. Cliff]

Going to little Baja? As a beginner? With no instructor?

Bring Beer!! Oh, and a tarp or plastic. The last guy I took to the hospital because he landed on the rocks got blood all over my seats.

[vant20]

Going to little Baja? As a beginner? With no instructor?

Bring Beer!! Oh, and a tarp or plastic. The last guy I took to the hospital because he landed on the rocks got blood all over my seats.

Gee, tough crowd :-)

I am listening, after all I asked the question. You will be amazed at how hard it is to get instruction. Maybe I rubbed some people the wrong way, for which I am very sorry. ](*,)

Anyways ... if anybody is interested to teach I will try to be at the windsurf launch tomorrow morning around 9-10. I drive an oldish Silver Windstart. I need to wait for a delivery and I live in Sacto.

I will also try to go there Tuesday. I cannot do weekends at this time of the year.

PM me and I will provide contact info.

[K. Cliff]

Not tough, just real. Sherman is an intermediate launch and should be treated as such. If we posted saying it was beginner friendly we would be lying.