I usually don't call people out on the forum for mistakes on the water but I did happen to meet Jim Wilson from Fort DeSoto (great guy by the way, super cool) Saturday and we were discussing safety and his support for us so here goes:
Whoever the kid on the blue and orange SS Turbo Diesel on Saturday was may want to seriously consider taking some more lessons. After said decapitation close calls and rescuing his inverted kite in between the two, this rider also crashed his kite right in the middle of the launch area on a botched launch attempt later in the day. Had there been bystanders on the beach, that could have meant the end ot EB for us all. If you are the rider in question, I strongly suggest taking those lessons or at least learning a lesson and/or NOT riding on a crowded day like Saturday was until you have better kite control. Maybe using a trainer kite would be a good idea? It is pretty hard to invert these bow kite too, not sure how you managed that one but you will notice that I am always one of the first people to go running to help someone in trouble. I usually keep my cool as everyone makes mistakes but crashing your kite just feet in front of me so I had to bail to avoid you 2 times in one day on a crowded day like that earned you the earfull I gave you on the 3rd of the 4 issues that I saw you have Saturday.
Remember: DOWNWIND rider has the right of way (I was the downwind rider and was on Starboard tack in BOTH instances) and you should NEVER do any jump or trick that could put that downwind rider at risk. Most times the downwind rider cannot see what is happening with the upwind rider and his kite so if you want to ride in the lanes of traffic, you should have good kite control. If you have the control you displayed Saturday and insist on NOT taking lessons, at least do everyone a favor and ride DOWNWIND so noone else gets hurt or killed WHEN you do.
If your life and others are not worth the price of a trainer kite, you are MORE than welcome to borrow mine, my cell # is 941-400-2696. I'll even help you with setup and launch, I ended up breaking a rib on a botched double backroll with an accidental kiteloop thrown in for good measure on my downwinder back to where I launched at the backside on Saturday. Had to ride 3/4 of the way from EB to BS after that and was alone, NOT fun with your harness pulling on it and you can't breathe, believe me. So I am off of the water for a while and would be MORE than willing to help you if you want it. PM or call me.
The ONLY right way to learn to kite is by taking lessons my friend.
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