.

[K. Cliff]

Nice :)

[jbirdmarin]

me thinks someone pulling our leg here

[elli]

Looks like you learned the right lessons. Maybe spend more time in Alameda. Its not as windy, but a lot safer.

[super_monkey]

My first day at Sherman was unreal. Wind was blowing at about 17mph. I realized that I've been flying my trainer in super light winds when I got my little 2m up, it alone lifted me off the hill I was standing on and dragged me forward about 30 feet. After that, I was very nervous about kiting and lost all the confidence I had built up in the 8+ hours spent with my trainer, which I thought I had mastered.

My instructor worked with me for about an hour on that until I developed a better sensitivity to the wind window and restored my confidence. He had me do some sideways running while figure 8ing the trainer which really helped later in the day. Then he put a harness on me and had me fly a 4m inflatable-edge kite, showed me all the releases and we reworked the launching and landing techniques for about an hour and a half.

After that, I hooked up a 6m kite, got in the water, launched and practiced doing body drag for about a mile. Then I did a landing and went back to launch with the board. I did a couple small power strokes to get a feel for the lift before making a real attempt. My first try popped me right up and I cruised for about a mile testing different speeds and controlling the kite. The water was pretty choppy, but I was too focused on the kite to pay much attention to that or even what I was doing with the board.

My back leg (right) started getting tired as hell though so I slowed down and sunk in the water to take a break. This was sorta strange because I've been intensely working out both legs for the past 2 months with a sports trainer and physical therapist, but I think I was probably just very tense since it was my first time. My bad knee (left leg) was in front and didn't give me any problems. I tried once getting up goofy, but fell and crashed my kite in the water. This was mainly because I was pretty nervous about heading towards the rocks and I lost radio contact with my instructor, but fortunately I relaunched the kite and never dipped it again after that.

The only injury I suffered was a cut to the foot after I landed my kite and was walking up the shore. There are a bunch of medium sizes rocks covered with algae and they are slippery as all hell. I'm sure if finished in a designated landing zone I wouldn't have this problem, but it was nice I got to pay some of my dues since I didn't have any other injuries the whole day. Hopefully next time I can break a rib or sprain an ankle, or at the very least experience one of those 'punch-in-the-face' falls I've read about.

Sherman is such a tight spot for kiting and the environment is just surreal: Intense winds, clear skies, golden hills covered with wind turbines on the one side, power line towers with helicopters carrying dudes from the tops of one to another and horses and cows roaming the other side. The place is definitely no joke.

Everything about my experience there was effing awesome. Everyone I met was very laid back, friendly and just super cool. They were all excited for me entering the sport and took the time to give me advice and show me their gear. Overall, I'm glad I choose Sherman to pop my cherry. It seems like a great spot to learn if you're a fast learner, athletic, coordinated and are under the supervision of a experienced instructor that knows the location, but use extreme caution always.

Here's what I learned: You should practice the exact steps you'll be taking with your trainer up to the point where kite-control is second nature. For the entire two-minutes it takes to launch, the first thing running through your mind should be if anything unexpected occurs, let go of the bar and pull your release. You should be focusing on your kite and be prepared to lose control. Using your peripheral vision, but also by taking slip-second snapshots of your path to entry, move into the water. This isn't the time to check the ground for pieces of glass or scope out hot babes. Check the path beforehand and be rest assured the inherent awesomeness of being a kiteboarder is taking care of the ladies.

I'm heading back tomorrow and I'm going to work on cutting harder to the outside, riding goofy, and relaxing a bit more so I can endure longer runs. Thanks again for those of you who were encouraging and helpful. I'll keep you guys updated on my progress and experience, specifically in regards to my knee and any injuries I have to stay on topic with this thread.

Even at 2:45am this sounds made up. Who are you and why are you being a douchenozzle?

[K. Cliff]

"Douchenozzle"? Man sometimes you can be such a yuppie twerp. I think your holding the trophy for douchenozzle. It sound like he may have come out and taken lessons with Sheldon. Pretty smart move for this time of year :) .

[mikaya]

Logicbombv, you are really deluded. It is incredibly easy to get hurt kiteboarding. I actually disagree that lessons are a good way to learn how to avoid that. The best way is to learn good kite control and common sense. Good kite control comes from respect, first of all, which comes from an awareness of how powerful kites are. Secondly it comes from practice. You don't get a lot of practice in lessons. IMO, no one should be allowed on the water until they have had hours, if not days, of practice, sitting or standing around in a huge flat area with no obstacles, just moving the kite from one side to the other - preferably with a number of different kites in different winds.

But don't worry, no one is going to put those restrictions on kiters any time soon.

Perhaps you could just be aware that the majority of accidents occur when launching. Lots of people launch in the power zone simply because they don't take the time to check out the wind direction carefully.

[mikaya]

Just to clarify: I am not saying don't take lessons. Do take lessons. But, be aware that very few teachers are going to be clear with you about the dangers of kiteboarding. Let me say that again: very few teachers are going to be clear with you about the dangers of kiting. The number of times I have seen someone narrowly get away with something dangerous is frightening - and even more frightening is the fact that everyone around just laughed.

[K. Cliff]

what? ](*,)

[adamT]

The ACL in my left knee has a minor tear, but it usually doesn't affect me with medium impact sports.
\

I have not read the 4 pages of this post, but thought I would tell you that I road for a few months with a totally ripped ACL.. It was like any other sport where I had to be careful and make sure I worked out regularly to help brace my knee..
The best knee brace is the system of your own muscles..

I also road with my post surgery brace a few times after the surgery as well. Mainly to help keep it from fully bending.

Adam

[Wildting]

"Douchenozzle"? Man sometimes you can be such a yuppie twerp. I think your holding the trophy for douchenozzle. It sound like he may have come out and taken lessons with Sheldon. Pretty smart move for this time of year :) .

+1

Sounds exactly like a lesson with Bruce to me. In fact it sounds very similar to my learning experience years ago.

What's so hard to believe, that he got up riding the first day (port tack)?


You guys should get out and ride instead of flaming the noob. It's windy right now.

Too bad I need another day of R&R after this week's riding. CYA maybe on the river tomorrow Kev.

-et