More Sherm-nanigans

[Bulldog]

So I was rigging on the lower beach at SI yesterday, few people on the beach but lots in water for a Thursday. I was rigging a 7, it was blowing around 22 and I thought it would get stronger (it did). Two newbies on the beach had pumped a 9, and I heard them discussing which lines went to which pigtails, so I asked them if they had ever kited at SI. They said no, but they had had 6 hours of lessons and were ready to go. I asked them if they could go upwind -- long hesitation and then said, "yeah, most of the time". It was flooding hard.

I told them to body drag out past the point before trying to get on the board, and asked them what their backup plan was. They were going to take turns riding, with the other driving down to Baja if necessary. I reminded them about the rocks, barbed wire, road, etc. They were getting nervous at this point.

About 20- minutes after I launched, I saw one of the guys bodydragging out. From what I could see, he never came close to getting on the board; bodydragged all the way down to LIttle Baja. I didn't see the guys when I got out of the water, but that was 3 hours later. I assume they made it out of the water okay because I didn't hear any scuttlebutt about ambulances or helicopters -- this time.

I'm just wondering if anyone doing lessons in the Bay is telling people to head up to SI after they're done with their lessons. These guys clearly had zero skills and had no business getting in the water at SI without an instructor helping them. They didn't have lots of attitude, and it's kinda hard to imagine they came up with the idea on their own.

[CdoG]

Been happening at Berkeley too.......



all the gear

anD...........
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No clue..........

[windhorny]

I'm tired of trying to ask people to do the right thing when i constantly get my head bit off for attemtping. Let them learn the hard way! Seems every single try at being cautiously polite in asking someone if they should be doing what they are about to, they get so damn defensive and I seem to make another enemy. So whats the point, hoping that one of them will be respectful and appreciative that you may have saved their life or prevented a disaster? it's human nature. Most of us can't admit we are wrong.

So next time a craiglsist kiter goes out with a motorcycle helmet and a seatbelt release as a harness and he is dipping his kite into the bushes as he is trying get his board leash unravelled through his Go-Joe, I am going to just hope I get to see the video from the camera he has duct-taped to his head afterwards!

Tired- of exactly that!

[maxsteamer]

Hello Bulldog,

Sherm-nanigans!!!! you be to funny....I always try to run over to them as fast as I can and introduce myself, and ask them if they have met the crew yet, if they say NO?? I ask them if they can "PLEASE" KEY!!! take a moment of there time to meet the crew.

If they refuse?? I ask them if they know the hidden danger spots out there?? this will most of the time? get there "Attention" and time to talk with them before they head out...at this point I wave over one of the crew to back me up and introduce them.

One way or another we stall them!! and they get the idea that we just want to talk with them before they start kiting at our launch.

I found if you yell you lose every time and this sparks a fire and that sends them down the beach with kite in hand and a finger on there way out.

[jono]

I have two ideas about this:

1. Ask everyone you've never seen before if they know how to punch out and have they ever done it for real.

2. Ask them if the know about all the underwater re-bar sticking out like pungee sticks between the launch and the ghost ship. :whistle:

Oh one more even, (Matt hope you don't mind), ask them if they know about Matt SPLAT (he likes that name, had it before Sherman, so I figure it's ok)!

[maxsteamer]

Hello Jono,

If you train diablo to deliver a flyer with your info, tail wagging.. now how could they refuse the message. :animals-dogrun:

[average_male]

I still like the "hiding in the bushes with a bb gun" approach, its anonymous and to the point. :)

[Loscocco]

I still like the "hiding in the bushes with a bb gun" approach, its anonymous and to the point. :)

LOL!!! that would be funny but quite mean.

[kitenaked]

Yes, lots of people saying they know how to kite...never been to Sherman and snappy when you try to give them some advice....

***

thought it was funny when this non Sherman gal was telling me that Mary Grace must not know how to launch someones's kite...comical indeed to watch this gal telling Mary Grace to launch the kite when it was clearly in a wind shadow and nothing was going to fly in that wind...

***

Another downwinder guy came in with board leash. Safety leash from kite was wrapped around reel leash which was wrapped around safety leash which was wrapped around each other....big mess.....through any incidents were avoided. He was appreciative for the help getting unwound...

[Greg]

We have to accept that our sport is growing and growth means new faces (and new friends!! :) :) )

If we approach each new person with an inviting smile and nothing but positive information about how they "can" proceed, we'll win them over and encourage them to join us not resist us. The key is sending out good information for everyones sake.

But the truth is we can lead a horse to water but we can't make them drink, so I just let the hard heads have at it if they don't like my advise....
Eventually it all works out, the ones that are teachable learn the easy way, the unteachable learn the hard way..

A universal truth is: water will always seek it's own level,
L.M.G.