Issues at Alameda

[aem27]

Before this gets out of hand and people start disregarding the Rules of this forum:
"You agree not to post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-oriented or any other material that may violate any applicable laws."

I'd like to put up my defense, which I was unable to do on Sunday night.

I'll admit that I was involved in two incidents. The first at 4pm when the wind had died away and I was the last one back in, so I came in to land. Whilst it was overhead, in no wind, my kite just dropped out the sky tumbling towards the shore. The beach was crowded and my strings hit a Japanese lady. I immediately unhooked and asked the lady if she was o.k. and apologised. She was a little shell-shocked but otherwise o.k. Later whilst awaiting for wind, the local instructor advised me to trigger my release in future if the kite does hit anyone. Further, in future in unstable winds and with such a crowded beach, I will ditch in the water when coming ashore.

In fact, I think the most sensible precaution would be to fence off the launch area from the general public. There were two large parties in the usual rigging and launching area. I accept this may be difficult at high tide as this would block off people's ability to walk up the beach, but there should at least be large warning signs.

On the second incident, I'll admit as a beginner, (10 sessions so far), that at around 7pm, the wind had picked up to a point where I wasn't in complete control during turns. I was ripping along in the flat water towards the shore and started to slow to turn 100 yds offshore. I came to a stop dropped in the water and before I knew it my kite had dived left again, towards Robert's. I pulled sharply right and thanks to Robert's quick thinking the kites never touched. I shouted an apology and went back out, not appreciating the full venom of Robert's wrath at the incident.

When I came ashore after the session, I immediately tried to apologize, but was never given a chance. I have learnt from this incident and will generally perform all manouvres further off shore. I am really a nice person and chatted with a large number of people on the beach that day and helped lauch and recover people's kites all afternoon.

I'll admit that getting close to two people in an afternoon could be concidered reckless, but in future, I would appreciate if people would try to listen first and educate beginners rather than shout and use slander. It can be a very destructive and hateful tool. Thanks for those posts before that fall under this latter category.

Robert, I'm sorry once again for necessatating you to dive your kite out the way. I do appreciate the dangers, (you only have to watch youtube to appreciate what can occur).

[windhorny]

During the season, which has officially come to an end, there are signs that indicate the launch boundaries. Sometimes people will picnic right in the launch but are genrally asked nicely to relocate and they do after understanding the potential hazards. I have made mistakes as have all of us at some point in time. It is always easier to point the finger. But yes, in general the idea is to predict and plan for the worst case scenario before it happens. In other words if there are people in the way, give them the right of way. All it takes is a few wacky ecentric old ladies to file a complaint and we easily get another mark on our sport's report card. Let's just try not to drop our C to a D next season.

[Greg]

lol... #-o

I'm glade I wasn't there.. dame funny read!

To all concerned: one thing I've learned is, never believe what you read, and only half of what you see. LET IT GO , no one gives a sh&* anyway. :butthead:

Bottom line: We're ALL in the same boat, lets work togather! :supz:
peace (out),
G.

[Yoda]

Next time have these handy to manage the situation!

Btw...My statements about cutting ones lines would only be last resort tactics. I would take every other action first to manage the situation in a civil and respectfull manor. However, if nothing else works and there's a SERIOUS possibilty of injury, death or beach closure, then I'll be pulling my knyfe out all gangsta sytle and be cuttin' them lines. 8)

[average_male]

Did they understand English? The description of the events seemed to be one-channelled conversations, what did they respond with when conversing with these two dudes?

[knyfe]

ok as the topic stays here.

My guy was actually a couple with a Naish shockwave in 9. As there was never enough wind to actually get out the guy decided to show his girl how nice he can move his kite on the beach. They had trouble launching but he was clearly no beginner. As I walked by them I realized that the guy didnt have a leash attached to his kite. I asked him if he thinks it is all right here on the beach without leach, and yes he didnt want to hook in.

It didnt take longer than 5 minutes until he moved his kite too far out of the window (towards the bay) and realized that he has to run fast to get it back up. So he ran against the wind and managed not to drop his kite on the swimmers out in the water. But after one more swing he hammered his kite right in my hands, 2m meter distance from my kids.

This was the first time this season I went back with my family to a spot 15m behind the official end of the kite storage area. We had accurately these troubles several time last season (and before) and stayed down the beach around Yuris house or so during this season.

Two things which pissed me off, no actually 3:
- Its not safe to stay with your family around or close to the shack. Not upwind - not downwind. Only far down the beach is ok as the kite density is way less and most beginners have to swim in anyway.
- The guy was not a beginner and took the risk not to use a leash which also didnt allow him to release in time before he had to run upwind to nearly hit a swimmer or my kids.
- The guy just said "I hear you" and left, never apologized.

Too bad, G