Little girl with smashed face at Alameda today

[Greg]

How about
a upper wind luanch zone
and a down wind landding zone

I dont really think this issue is the result of someone capable of hitting a landing zone. THAT IS THE PROBLEM!

What We need is Newbies with AWESOME TRAINING, GOOD ETHICS and a KITE BUDDY to help keep them OUT OF TROUBLE. WE Need KITERS to become PRO-ACTIVE not become REACTIVE!

We need Kiters to look around and SEE a situation unfolding and GET INTO ACTION, not hang out and laugh about the outcome... cause sometimes the outcome is NOT FUNNY.

[windhorny]

Kite buddy is key in my mind. Nothing makes me feel more comfortable when I see floating kite coming in to shore than another person in a wetsuit there to assist. Other than this, I get VERY VERY nervous that this person is going to not know what to do when their kite is floating in between the family of kids playing in the water.

The only good to come out of this accident is that it can be used as an immediate example when explaining to stubborn newbies the importance of safety.

[Greg]

Newbies are NOT THE ONLY ONES who need to understand the importance of PUBLIC SAFETY.

[Boardsports]

FUNDRAISING BBQ THIS SAT 9/18 at "the shack" 12noon:

In the spirit of bringing the community together to:
- help Luz's family with medical bills at Oakland's Children's Hospital
- raise awareness of kiting safety guidelines to help to protect public beach users

We (and community volunteers David, Yvonne, Robert, and Greg) are hosting a BBQ at "the shack" this weekend:
where: "the shack" Crown Beach Alameda
directions here>
http://boardsportsschool.com/weather/lo ... o/alameda/
when: Saturday 9/18
what time: 12noon
minimum donation: $25 (if you already donated online through the paypal account set up by David Lyon at smallworldalameda@gmail.com, please join us without additional donation if you wish)

100% of all PROCEEDS from this BBQ will go to the Oakland Children's Hospital to help Luz's family with the outstanding medical bills. Any additional funds raised (beyond Luz's bills that some community members will help to negotiate down when total hospital bill is tallied) will be donated to the Oakland Children's Hospital Foundation.
http://www.childrenshospitaloakland.org ... erview.asp

We will provide all the food and host the following additional events to help raise funds:
-self rescue clinic
-beach safety guidelines clinic
-stand up paddle boards and kayaks for use during bbq
-raffle of any contributed items (bring any odd items you wish to raffle off to help raise funds)

Please join us in Alameda this Saturday in the spirit of promoting responsible kiting around the bay and beyond.
Jane

--
Boardsports School & Shop
Alameda - San Mateo - San Francisco
Voted "Best of the Bay"
http://www.BoardsportsSchool.com
415.385.1224

[maxsteamer]

Hello Kiters,

Even if you Know how to self- rescue ?? this is a good time to review your technique with a seasoned kiter that will answer all your questions with experience on what to do, and what not to do, in all (SCENARIOS) and at the same time help a little girl who just wanted her Mom to take her to see all the pretty kites... could very well save our access at (Crown Beach)..

If you do the right thing here.. You will find respect from your fellow kiters (Priceless)

Max be on his knees ( NO KITEBOARDING ) :o don't let this happin'

[robert22]

Alameda KiteSurfing Swap Meet Fundraiser
When: Saturday, September 18th from 10AM to 12PM
Where: Crown Beach, Alameda (Grassy area across the path from the Shack)

As the Bay Area Kitesurfing season comes to a close, here's a chance to sell some of your old kite gear and/or pick up some new gear, all while helping to raise funds for Luz's medical bills.

Everyone is welcome to attend, but we encourage all those using this swap meet to sell their gear to donate a portion of their sales to the Fundraiser (suggested donation is 10%-20% of sales). And, if you have any Kitesurfing gear that you'd like to donate outright, there will also be a donation area.

Again, the Swap Meet will be held from 10AM-12PM (prior to the start of the Kite Safety/BBQ Fundraiser at 12PM). Hope to see you all there.

[Greg]

Thats right Max- you scare 'em straight so I wont have to kick 'em to the curb for F^&** ing things UP.
(JOKING)

Hay lets not blow this out of wack. This isnt the end of kiteboarding or anything like it, we just need to remain vigilant on safety issues.. Like they say "Things Occur"!, we just dont want this to occur again ;-)