"Must you kite so close to my student?"

brass · Since 15 Jul 2006 152 Posts Stoked

"Unfortunately there are some kooks out there, that should by NO means be teaching and if they cause someone else's gear to get damaged or hurt someone else then they are going to have to pay that price. You can tell these guys, as they are usually people on land flying a 9m (brand edited out) go death spriraling down the beach. We've seen this happen a few times already this year and hopefully it was a wakeup call to those guys that they shouldn't be doing what they were. If i see people flying a big LEI kite on land, you can sure as hell bet, i am going to approach them and ask what is up. "

This is all I am trying to say and this type of activity needs to stop.

Sorry to "hijack the thread". I don't know blog etiquette but I sure as hell know that people are out there teaching their buddies on crowded days and I stay the hell away. I still say the best place to teach is eastern sand bar where people can do little downwinders. If you need to stand go to Padre or Floras or get a canoe and paddle up to Wells.

And as I stated before it is I who will stay away from you and your buddy because I can. It requires extra attention and planning on my part and cuts into my often limited time but I know it is the right thing and I will live. I am just getting frustrated by the increasing amount of stupidity out there as I am sure everyone else is.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

the accidents I have heard about were people flying LEIs on shore with no instructors present. I am trying to stop this type of activity too by offering safety lessons in kiting to people I know. I also teach them about right of way, and how to stay away from kiters while learning, and while kiting. I don't teach on crowded days, and I teach away from everyone else. If you re-read my original post, we were out in nowhere and got stormed by instructors (probably certified) that were doing unsafe things right next to us.

Not having a certification doesn't make me an idiot.

lastly, "if you want to stand up go to padre"? seriously? where did you learn? are you telling me in your lesson, you weren't able to touch ground at all? If so, my hats off to you for feeling safe the entire time.

I said before, I don't have any problem trying out the eastern side, but, if the person I am teaching needs it to feel safe, I am going to find a waist deepish section (away from everyone else of course) to teach some of the skills in.

brass · Since 15 Jul 2006 152 Posts Stoked

Padre....seriously. My girlfriend wanted to learn how to kite, I took her there and bought her a lesson cuz I am too familiar with what a kook fest the sand bar is. The wind is steadier and better for learning. The other options presented are more economical and not unreasonable.

Not that it matters but I learned in DEEP water.

Like I said just frustrated and FlyinElvis is not the right guy at which to direct it...so my bad if that was implied.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

cool.... so NE corner is now designated as instruction beach!

windslayer · Since 30 Apr 2007 153 Posts Stoked

NO F___ING WAY will any part of the spit be a regulated area!!! I pay to play and if you are just helping your "friends" then you WILL share all space with everyone!!! You are no more special than anyone else just because you are spending time introducing your "friends" to the fun sport of kiting. DO NOT start something here FlyinElvis, cause you WILL lose!! In fact, take your lessons back to Pacific City and your friends should not be called STUDENTS if they are just your friends and you are not getting paid!!! Twisted Evil

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

windslayer · Since 30 Apr 2007 153 Posts Stoked

I'm listening...

forrest · Sun Aug 26, 07 6:18 pm

HR is a tourist area. It benefits the city to have an area zoned for teaching whether that is via a school or via me teaching my buddies. Both of these scenarios bring funds to the economy.

I don't see why you would think an idea of zoning the sandbar would would fail. The windsurfers have already proved that its possible.

By "pay to play" do you mean you pay to park?

windslayer · Since 30 Apr 2007 153 Posts Stoked

Where is it? The Hook? That little tiny area on the inside that has little to no wind perfect for beginners that absolutly no experienced windsurfer EVER goes? The outside of the hook is even a free for all. NO WHERE IN THIS ENTIRE GORGE IS THERE A RESTRICTED TEACHING SPOT FOR WINDSURFING!! I have been windsurfing this river for 15 years and now kiting for 1, and I have not ever encountered such a drive for rules, conflict and the need to be so political in all those years until now!! What happened to the comradery and fun. Next you'll want me to wear a frickin helmet!! First it is a group of windsurfers that have tried to control where the kiters can be, now it is a group of kiters that want to tell me where I am alowed to kite. Relax and teach your people. Take them to a less poplulated area if you are worried about others. It is your responibility as an instructor. I get along great with all of the instructors that I know, and stay out of their way as best as possible, but pardon me if I accidently get a little close. It is mostlikely un-intentional........like any other kiter. Imagin if their was no sand bar like the little tiny one we had last year. Fit all the lessons on that one and try to be happy!! I'm stoked to see new people. I smile and wave sometimes on the way by to the water.