anyone see..

Originally Posted by Steve-O

Just throwin out things to think about. Spoke to some riders from East Beach yesterday, and the wind didn't get side off until late in the day. That is beside the point.

I always look for the best possible riding scenerio. That's just me. On an E or NE I always choose EB. For me, it feels like the safer option.

East Beach is covered with palm trees, steel signs, steel poles, channel markers, and cars very close to shore. I was always taught it is an advanced riding location due to the obstacles. As far as I remember there have been more serious accidents at East Beach than at the skyway. Some required an ambulance and one a helicopter. Isn't that where bayflite earned his unfortunate nick name? As far as I am concerned both locations are dangerous regardless of wind direction because wind direction can change in an instant especially if it is a squall.

The scene at Tiki beach was about as gruesome as it gets according to Neil. It has changed him, and how he is going to do things down there.

Have you ever heard the phrase a day late and a dollar short?

[inferno]

Originally Posted by kitekristrudo

East Beach is covered with palm trees, steel signs, steel poles, channel markers, and cars very close to shore. I was always taught it is an advanced riding location due to the obstacles. As far as I remember there have been more serious accidents at East Beach than at the skyway. Some required an ambulance and one a helicopter. Isn't that where bayflite earned his unfortunate nick name? As far as I am concerned both locations are dangerous regardless of wind direction because wind direction can change in an instant especially if it is a squall.

the reason EB has had the most accidents is because it has the most people riding it.... simple as that

and i think the point stevo was trying to make (atleast what i was thinking) was that on a NE wind, EB is sideshore, this means that is a strong gust hits and you lose control, you get drug along the shoreline instead of onshore like at the skyway..... much safer

and even though there are signs and trees... its still in my opinion one of the safer places to ride... i cant think of a safer place off the top of my head...

beaches have people and deep water
LP is onshore
SW has rocks
Sunset has a small launch area

maybe north beach (if theres not alot of people)

They are both side shore in NE. But to tell the truth the skyway safety subject seems like it was meant to be an insult to one particular person or group of people who ride at the skyway. Thats how it seems to me.

[inferno]

SW is not really side shore on a NE... more side on.... (depending where you launch from)

[bayflite]

Originally Posted by kitekristrudo

Have you ever heard the phrase a day late and a dollar short?

thats a little xtreme dude.

[Danimal8199]

I wouldn't take anything Steve-O says as insulting. He is a very safety oriented rider who I have ridden with on many occasions.

His point is, if you have two places to ride the same wind direction and one is safer than the other, why go ride in a riskier spot?

I'd rather run into a palm tree or sign at east beach than the mangroves, rocks, or multiple roads at the skyway. There is a very close access road, an on ramp to 275, and 275 itself with cars doing 70+. Not much room for error.

There have been some bad accidents at the skyway as well as east beach, the extent of damage for ones self at the skyway could very well be beyong the scope of what anyone has seen before if the right conditions are present...

I posted earlier that I rode the skyway yesterday and I did this ONLY because you can't ride EB on a straight north wind.

http://www.tbka.org/TBKAWiki/index.p...8Front_Side.29

Myself and SteveS put this up months ago. If you would like to add to it Steve-O, TBKA was created for that purpose and it was made abundantly clear to yourself and others that contributions would be appreciated.

In terms of the Skyway. When I ride there, I follow my own advice and get well offshore and stay there, especially on days where it might pick up quickly. People who ride there often see this on a regular basis.
Despite my personal choices, several riders still choose to ride close to shore and do whatever. They always have and always will. To my knowledge, I am not responsible for their behavior.

That brings me back to my prior post about realm of influence (Stephen Covey 101). If you are on the hunt for someone to point a finger at (and it sure seems like it to me), then start looking closer to home at your sponsored riders and instructors. You actually have influence over them. You have basically none over most others (just like I don't).
The best you can do is to get all your sponsored guys and instructors to ride like great role models who practice what you preach. That is the best way for you to positively affect our community.

[Unimog Bob]

Steve-O has always been a good guy to ride with and every time I've seen him ride he sets a good example using best safety practices and acting as a good role model. At the launch he is always friendly helpful and generous with his time and equipment. Scott does make a good point about controlling and influencing what you can. As our largest local retailer of kiting equipment WSW can influence rider behavior through its policies and sponsorships.If I walked into WSW as a total newbie at what point will they sell me a full quiver of gear kites and boards? If I sit through the very good safety lecture and ground orientation can I then buy a whole Butt load of Cab, Nobile, jimmy Lewis stuff and hit the beach. It is a tough nut for any retailer trying to pay the rent and keep the lights on. It is also hypocritical to point a finger at private individuals who a doing all they can to promote safety and preserve access, when you represent a business that has to choose profits over principals.

On a much more important note I got to ride today near Upham the wind was a bit gusty and the waves were a bit mushy, but all in all a great safe session with good friends.

Bob

[inferno]

i had a great afternon sesh at honeymoon.... solid 18 building to about 24
with really nice waves on the outer sandbar.....
man those 07 fuels can jump

Yeah, the beach rocked today.
Thanks for the loaner O.R. kite, Bayflite.