Groupon for skydiving? Groupon for base jumping? How about chain saw juggling?
Groupon diminishes the gravity of the sport. Making it all too accessible for people without a true appreciation for the risks. I saw a guy dragged into the mangroves yesterday in cocoa. He was very lucky to not be seriously hurt. Another guy had to fully release his way overpowered kite and had to swim upwind 200 yards to the launch. Lucky for him he was a strong swimmer. His kite would have blown clear to Miami if not for others retrieving it for him.
Locally, there are incidents nearly every windy day. Lost boards, out of control launch attempts, kites crashing on the beach near tourists...the list goes on.
I can appreciate instructors making a living..but, no one should be led to believe that kite surfing can be learned and mastered cheaply.
If students aren't willing to commit the necessary financial resources, how can anyone expect them to commit the mental attention needed to stay safe?
Kitesurfing involves real risk. To oneself and others. Groupon deals simply bring the wrong type of people to the sport.
Raining noobs? For sure. Raining out-of-control bodies and equipment onto tourists and other kiters. Keep it up, and access is going to disappear...
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