Rescue in Alameda

[maxsteamer]

Heads up Kiters,

Today it was windy but from the wrong direction "Offshore" these winds are hard to navigate even for a seasoned kiter. I have always preached to many a kiter the "Buddy System" especially in off season winds or winter time kiting ...I was watching a kite that launched from the shack & seemed to be fine until the kite hit the water & never came back up so I kept checking on it & after a hour or so I saw the kiter doing a self rescue without rolling the lines ? I new it was time to call 911 after seeing him drift further away from the shore .. when they got him he was what we kiters call "Hogtied" in his lines ..this is why he could not swim .. I was there when they brought him in & asked him to contact me if he wanted to kite here again in the winter & not to kite alone.

I did know the guy & he was a "Intermediate" kiter but did not employ the buddy system.. he did promised me he would call me.. if he kited here again, so I took him at his word & this idea has proved to be a life saver in the past ! so if you feel you can handle these winds go for it but don't do it alone. I'm retired & luck would have it.. to live across from the beach & I make a point to keep our launch safe & don't want to see it closed to kiting & the bill for a rescue ends up on my property tax bill ..there have been allot of rescues this year alone & after talking to the fire department rescue team.. this is just another day at work for them, but it should be noted that to many will bring attention to us kiters & could end up on the wrong desk.. so lets pay attention & that way we will be left alone to stoke the bay without restrictions.

My name is Max...& my phone number is...510-814-1074..e-mail ..maxsteamer1@gmail.com ..Good Winds & happy holidays to all.

[sanjose_kiter]

Good to hear from you Max
Take care and have a great holiday season

Alex