Wind on Sunday

Thanks Steve. That one shot I have of you board dragging is one of my all time favorites. Just good lighting, etc.

I am going to start taking more shots, like Amber and some others.
I just got this iMac giggie and can upload pics easily, so may as well.

[kite-4-life]

Yep, thats the shot that made it into The Kiteboarder mag! Now my body dragging skillz are known worldwide and I get harrassed by the papparazi every time I leave the house...(NOT)
I really like the one of Zack doing the 1 footer, His tongue is extended almost as much as his leg!
Notice how everyone is much slimmer and trimmer now?
Good stuff!

That shot was in a mag? Funny.
I wouldn't know, I avoid that propaganda like the plague.
I think one of Jay was in the SP Times.
We have a much better selection of shots these days for things like mags and papers, thanks to others taking great shots, but I will post mine anyway since it's easy to do.

I'm famous too. I made it onto a magazine cover once. Beat that! wahaha

[kite-4-life]

Yep, in a beginner's guide section. Eagle had a whole page on gear maintenance in the same issue.

Since we are talking about the "good old days" and everything:

Once upon a time, we could tell who was who and all knew each others names and skill levels, and who they took lessons from. Now, we have hundreds of kiters here, many instructors, and many new faces every day, its very hard to keep up. I believe that over the past few years, we have become too relaxed about safety,the learning curve/timeline, "cowboys", and kooks. Now it appears to be acceptable for inexperienced kiters to buy a kite (on the beach) and learn as they go, which only increases the risk factor. That's not healthy for the future of our sport, and we should all work together towards the common goal of safer launches, and making EVERY kiter self sufficient and confident in their abilities.
Becoming a kiter starts with LESSONS, not with a kite purchase.
Kite safe

[toby wilson]

That classic pic of Chris Moore looking gay at PAG with his new board is on there too, Chris and I were talking about that pic just yesterday!!! LOL!!!

[LSUkiter]

As a new kiter, I've considered launch and landing the most sketchy times for an accident to occur, and the discussion about the accident at EB reinforced my ideas. I've really wondered if my kite went crazy on the launch would I have enough instinct to know what to do in that rapid fire couple of seconds. I know the topic of whether or not to launch hooked in or not always brings up lengthy debates, so I don't want to start that one. When I lauch, I do it hooked in, and take a couple glances at my QR so I know where to grab. My leash is hooked into the ring under my bar(Best bar), the way I was taught by my instructor. Obviously with that setup, my option would be to let go of the bar and pull the QR. My question is: would it be wiser(especially as a newb) to attach the leash to the O-S webbing that way the kite would flag if I had a problem, and then move the leash to below the bar when I'm on the water? It seems like a better idea, and I'm assuming most people aren't taught this way by their instructors simply because its more of a hassle.
Opinions?
Richard

[toby wilson]

I keep my leash fastened where it started because moving the attachment point would involve unattaching your leash while your kite is in the air. While it isn't likely that you would need to throw your bar during that couple of seconds that you are making the transition, you never know when a gust will hit or something will go wrong with your gear. Plus, as you get more comfortable making that transition of leash attachment points, you would naturally become less cautious while doing it. Just my take on it, dont want to see any more 'runaway kites' than we have to, others may disagree with me though...