Kite Lines

[wllix]

This might sound stupid but. I launched my waroo 08 11m today and the outside lines felt no tension at all while trying to get it up, which i never did. Do you have to adjust these lines when u get the kite or somthing?

[Chad085]

the only stupid question would be one that you didn't ask and got yourself or someone else hurt, no one was born a kiteboarder and most of us are friendly so if you don't know, just ask!!! All your lines should be the same length, especially a brand new '08. You said you tried to launch, but never got off the ground??? Maybe your kite was too far upwind of you and you just needed to step back(upwind) a little bit??

[wllix]

well i didnt get it up because i read the winds wrong (still trying to figure those sites out) and just didn't think. i was trying to launch in an offshore wind, now thats stupid. Would that be a reason why the outside lines felt no tension?

[Steve-O]

I hate to point out the obvious here, but I am bit concerned with your choices today. I know you are new to the area and all, but your choice of location to launch your kite today leads me to believe you have had little or no training at all. You will not find too many people in the kiting community that will tolerate a self learner. It can be a danger to oneself, others, and put riding spots that we cherish at risk.

I do appreciate you coming into the shop to get a harness this weekend, however I would definately like to know why you tried to launch where you did today. Especially since no other kites were around you, and like 20+ kites were riding the backside of East Beach. I gave you a ride map of East Beach, but apparently you chose not to use it. This concerns me.

Your lines weren't tight due to lack of wind caused by an entire forest of trees blocking it. And if you did get it up and enter the water you probably would have been blown out into the bay and had some really big problems. Offshore winds are a bad idea. Kiting 101 Dudes have lost their kites this way.

I would be more than happy to talk with you about kiting and get you the training that you need. I had mentioned the 2.5 hour class at the shop for $50.00. It would be the best money you ever spent on the sport. I don't think you will find any shop anywhere in the world offering 2.5 hours of instruction for $50.00. Some one on one might not be a bad idea either.

I look forward to your response. Lack of response will only force me to call you out with car id, kite id, and description to note all of the riders in the area to keep an eye out for you and find out what's up.

Steve-O
WSW

[Tom Stock]

Get trained or die trying... literally.

[Danimal8199]

WLLIX,

Get some lessons dude. You will realize once you learn to kite that one of the biggest dangers for ones self, and others, is someone who does not follow protocol.

No one will fault you for asking questions, but you have no one to blame but yourself when the S' hits the fan if you are not properly trained.

You can ask anyone on here about storys from the skyway where a guy got lofted and landed on the rocks, got taken out on a stretcher, or the guy at cypress who lost his kite kiting in offshore winds.

Steve-O is a very knowledgable guys, as well as many of the others on here. If you don't think lessons are important, ask around and you will see an outpour of responses.

Nothing personal. At best getting lessons will introduce yourself to some people in the kiting community.

Danny

[wllix]

dont worry stevo takin second lesson befor i go out. Thanks for your concern.

[Galego]

i am a firm believer in taking lessons. i'v spent a lot of time with wakeboarding and flying my kite from the beach and doing about 10 body drags before trying to kitesurf and this weekend i got up for the first time on the first try and went about 150 yards before trying to tack and ditching it. what im trying to say is that without lessons i would still be trying to self launch my kite let alone get out on the water. good luck with the lessons.
as a side note, the offer from Steve-o $50 for 2.5 hours is a very good deal. trust me because i'v spent a hell of a lot more than that.
be safe and have fun.

[Little Miss Sunshine]

dont worry stevo takin second lesson befor i go out. Thanks for your concern.

As a newbie myself, i hope that your 2nd lesson is with a certified instructor. It sounds as if you are in dire need of help and to be honest, you should invest the money and time with Steve-o in a series of lessons if you can. Putting yourself or another fellow kiter in jeopordy due to lack of knowledge is irresponsible.

Be smart. Be safe.

[bayflite]

Kitesurfing is an extreme sport as you know. So by definition there are inherent risks associated with it. Pushing the "safe bounderies" is something we (kiters) just do.
For example: gandy to skyway w/out boat support, giving lessons w/out boat support, riding w/out a hook knife, learning advanced tricks w/out a helmet, the list is long.
Every kiter I know has done something they could be called out on including myself. Steve-O seems to be very passionate about keeping our access open and our reputation clean. I haven't seen his kind of dedication since "Eagle" strolled our shores. I'm pretty sure ALL of his (Steve-O's) lessons are done with boat support. If Steve-O, Steve Sadler, Randy, or the Triton guys are backed up with too many students and can't get to you soon, consider just hanging out and watching for a session or two.
Introducing yourself on a forum after an "almost" kitemare takes big brass balls...so, your probly gonna be a ripper after one of our qualified LOCAL instuctors gets you pointed in the right direction.
L8r

[Steve-O]

If money is an issue the guys at Triton offer a very nice discount for high school and college students. Not to mention you get to meet alot of people your age.

Check out www.Tritonkiteboarding.com

Feel free to call me and I can get you the info you definately need.

727-542-8022

[Skyway Scott]

Wilix,

I am just curious, did you take a lesson? Everyone seems to be concluding that you have not, due to this question about line lengths, but I haven't actually heard you say that on here.

If you had a lesson and you didn't get rigging basics in the lesson, that's a real shame. Some instructors are getting lazy (or greedy) imo, and just putting you out there on the kite right off the bat and letting you get a feel for kiting, then going to the next guy. 3 guys a day style.
That's not a lesson, that's just popping 'em out to make money.

Past lesson or not, get one from someone who gives a good one and get back on track.
Steve-O is one example of a good instructor. That class time he mentions is a good investment to hear about stuff, including safety.

I know the sport looks easy and safe, but few sports can turn on you as fast as kiting in terms of getting totally screwed. It's not until most people get their ass handed to them that they believe this statement, no matter how many times others warn them. It's sort of natural. A truly wise person learns from other's mistakes and advice though, and doesn't need to repeat obvious mis-steps.
No need to learn how bad you can get hurt by actually riding in the am"BOO"lance.

Here is an example of an exceptional athlete not having all the training and understanding necessary to stay out of harms way.
It's obvious the kite hits harder than a defensive lineman and that he just didn't know this.

http://www.fksa.org/showthread.php?t=2732&highlight=jupiter+injury

Good luck. Have fun, but be safe. :)

[wllix]

Yup have and have. The question on the lines was trimming them not rigging. What happend wasnt a result of training just very stupid thinking. Kind of the "wtf was i thinking" sort of moments. I just didnt take the hazards seriously as i should have. Thanks Scott for the info.

[Skyway Scott]

We all just want you safe and having fun.

Don't put the rear line setting on the knot closest to the kite! It will be too powered up. Put it on the knot 3rd in from the furthest from the kite, to start.

When you launch (before actually), depower the kite all the way at the pull/pull strap. Tune it/trim it to ride once you are out in the water.
It's possible the front lines might stretch a little after riding the kite a few times. If they do, you will want to attach the rear lines even further away from the kite on the knot setting to compensate.
I would go to the WSW course. It can't hurt, the price is right, and you will meet people.
You will most likely learn a ton of stuff that sometimes takes a full year to learn on your own. Especially about local conditions.

The above advice about rigging assumes the kite lines are "just right", out of the bag. They may not be. (Relieve me of responsibility).
I personally NEVER launch a kite in serious wind for the first time. I always tune the kite with the new bar and lines in light winds, first.
There is literally no one in hell I would hand Donna a kite "out of the bag" in anything more than 12 knots.
Best to check it in lighter stuff first.
Most kites today come "ready to rock", but better safe than sorry. I have seen kites be WAY off on the line set, and have whacked guys pretty good. :(

[Skyway Scott]

I just got out of the shower and was trying to put myself in your shoes, Wllix.
Most importantly, as Chad pointed out and you are already doing... ask questions. When a new rider comes up to anyone on the beach and asks a question, I have never seen him/her met with anything but a friendly answer. So, just to reinforce was Chad said, we are all friendly and here to help out.
That's not the case with a lot of sports or other settings in life, but it is around here with kiting.
So, don't be shy or purposely stay to yourself. :)

Also, I bet I rigged my kite at least 15 times before I felt comfortable with it.
Your instructor may very well have shown you all this stuff. It doesn't mean it is going to stick the very first time. I know for me, (Jayson witnessed it for 3 solid months) I would rig and re-check my kite ad nasueum, over and over.
My point is, don't hesitate to ask someone to double check your setup at first. It's not a poor reflection on you or your instructor. It's a good reflection on you wanting to get it right. :) .

[LSUkiter]

I'm not gonna add much here cuz I'm a total newb, but what Scott is saying is true. My third lesson was in higher than I was used to winds, so my instructor and I decided to use my smaller kite(an 11m that had never been out of the bag, and neither had the bar). The instructor helped me rig, and let me launch the kite for the first time. As the kite launched it flew slowly, but directly to the right side of the window, directly over everyone sitting on the beach and the parked cars. I kept directing it to the left, but it kept flying right fairly uncontrollably. Luckily the instructor ran over and helped since I didnt know what to do.

The culprit was uneven lines that just needed to be stretched. Needless to say I'll never fly a kite straight out the bag without checking the line lengths.
I know you kinda got slightly reamed unexpectedly over your question, so I didn't want to add to it, but I thought my experience was a decent lesson
Good luck out there

[Steve-O]

I just want to be clear that I wasn't intending to school or "ream" this guy. I just saw a very very poor choice of location to kite which indicated to me someone that is very unsure of what he is doing.

Again, I would rather be wrong and overly protective than say nothing at all and wish I had.

Just want to say that I am here to help in anyway I can.

[Skyway Scott]

I don't think Steve meant to come across that way either.
It's hard to tell tone on here. I think he just wants Wllx safe.

He actually wrote me a PM about something else, and I told him thanks for making the post. I think it's better to error on being a little cautious/harsh, than not saying anything. Anyone can say "Cool dude" all the time. Speaking your mind, especially in attempts to insure access or safety, takes some guts and it shows he cares.

Steve, use those stupid little smileys... it helps set tone :) :)

[Chad085]

constructive criticism to preserve our sport, i didnt get a hint of any "reaming" steve-o. 99% of people don't even know what kiteboarding is, they might see a quick pic in the newspaper after a cold front, or know of us as "that thing they do at the skyway." I don't have any statistics, but i imagine the injury rate in our sport is probly the same or less than most mainstream sports. However, lack of knowledge leads people to believe the bad stuff, so ONE bad yardsale could really give our sport a black eye. How many times have you been asked on the beach "what happens if that thing keeps pulling you underwater?" or "will it just make you fly away?" And people that think they know something about kiteboarding will always bring up the kitemares we've all heard, and usually with their own "twist." So just keep in mind the effect your actions can have on all of us, and thats not just directed at you, wllix, that's everybody, myself included. Accidents can and will happen, but every precaution should be taken to avoid them, and lack of instruction is a REALLY bad excuse. Just get some lessons, take your time and be careful. Come on out and share the stoke, bro, see ya on the water:)

[kite-4-life]

An often overlooked fact is that it takes most kiters 3 or 4 sessions of 3-4 hours each with an instructor, for them even have a chance at covering all the essentials of being a competent, independent kiter. You should not be practicing by yourself until your instructor agrees you're ready and has TESTED your abilities. You shouldnt buy anything but a helmet, harness, wetsuit and booties until you have taken lessons and tried some different kites. Thats how it used to be, but times have changed, and it makes everyone's job of protecting our spots much more difficult.

[LSUkiter]

Guess "reaming" didn't express what I meant properly, and it actually wasn't just to Steve-Os response. Just seemed like multiple people responded negatively to his post, and I felt his pain, because my biggest fear other than making a mistake that hurts someone is everybody thinking I'm a kook cuz I'm still learning. Guess I'll add a "smilie" after I use certain words like Scott said.

Honestly, I really appreciate this forum and all of your responses, because although I rarely post, searching through the threads has taught me more about safety and kiting than I could have learned in 2 years of just heading out to the beach.

Richard

[Skyway Scott]

Cool. I really wish more guys would hop on.
Although I think we have doubled our numbers (this area's forum participation) in just the last month, so that's pretty good.

We need a couple more SorrySotans (hint Phil) to be regular on here, and then we will have all the way from S. to up N. covered for info.

[Danimal8199]

WLLIX,

If this helps, every new rider goes through all the excitement and uncertainies of learning something completely new.

I remember when I started kiting, I took 2 lessons, bought my gear, and headed out to remote locations where no one was around, partly because I didn't want to get in everyones way, riders that is, and partly because I was affraid I would hurt people if I got out of control.

Let me tell you though, after about 5 or 6 times by myself, with a friend watching of course, I decided to head to east beach at ft. desoto.

My first time out with other kiters I met Chad and found out he lives about 4 minutes from me, and met about 6 other people that I ride with regularly.

In addition to that, my learning curve when through the roof! Just being around other kiters, watching, trying, asking questions, you will learn quickly.

The most important thing is getting a solid foundation to build upon.

You will find on the forum people can unitentionally get very defensive when it comes to safety and preserving the riding spots. Its nothing personal and Scott is right, it can be hard to tell the tone of text on here.

Bottom line, be safe have fun and all kite rock! (had to throw it in there) :D

[linhster]

Not so long ago, I would had welcome anyone that can advised me with any safety guidance that I can get. Now a year and a half later since I started my first lesson, I still try to listen to any experience kiters that can offer me any advice. I think this sport is one of which you will never stop learning.

I am from the Fort Pierce area and most of the local kiters are not into posting on this forum. I wished I have had this kind of guidance when I started. Although there were many from the Fort Pierce area that were very helpful at guiding newb to a safer beginning.

This is very helpful to newb because there are so many different type of kites and their own different system of rigging of the kite to the bar. The only one that can help with this issue are all the experience kiters that had gone through this. Experience is the only thing that can help with the feel of every new kite setup. There are so many different combo out there.

For most newb, they do not even know what wind speed would be optimum to even try to launch and try to learn. In the past I had been so frustrated just trying to launch and learn in low wind. Not to mention the danger of not being able to relaunch because of low wind and getting stuck in out the water. That is why you need GOOD GUIDANCE and GOOD SAFETY SYSTEM (like some one that can help you AKA rescue boat ) when you are new and not aware of the danger that you can get yourself into.

Keep up the good work to all the experience kiters who had posted.

THANK TO ALL.

[jakester]

:cool: PER SKYWAY SCOTT'S :D ADVICE :-D :mrgreen: ;)
;) AS A FAIRLY NOOBIE (FNOOBIE:confused:) MYSELF:mrgreen:
:p I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND :-D
:) TAKING THE STEVE-O, INTRO/SAFETY CLASS:)
:D WELL WORTH THE 50 BUCKS;)
:o I TOOK MY LESSONS, ABOUT 6 HOURS, WITH RANDY;)
:cool: AGAIN, WORTH THE MONEY AND VERY SAFE:p
:) WHEN RANDY CUT MY CORD :rolleyes: AND RELEASED ME INTO THIS CRUEL WORLD:mad: I STAYED AT THE SPOT WHERE I HAD MY LESSONS, BECAUSE I WAS COMFORTABLE WITH THE AREA:) UNTIL I FELT SAFE TO TRY KITING AT A DIFFERENT AREA:( NOW, I HAVE FOUND A GREAT GROUP OF GUYS THAT I REALLY ENJOY KITING WITH:shock: AND THEY HAVE ASSISTED ME WITH MANY QUESTIONS:cool: MY ADVICE, FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH: :D FIND ONE PLACE THAT YOU FEEL SAFE & COMFORTABLE WITH, WITH A GOOD "SUPPORT GROUP";) UNTIL YOU FEEL 100% CONFIDENT, THEN TRY ANOTHER SPOT, IF YOU WISH:p JMO