Near lofting (seriously) at Sherman

[vant20]

I do not know details on this specific incident. I hope that nobody else gets injured at Sherman (or any other spot) this summer. It's great to see people caring about this issue, you may be saving my head in the future. For sure my Sherman instructor always addresses the safety issues and I am grateful for that. I do not come there often enough to understand all the dynamic of the place, just wanted to share the small data point that I have :)

Marius

[olya]

Hey,

First of all, thanks a bunch for watching out for me and bringing back my board. I really appreciate that -and learned to carry beer in my trunk as a result :)
It's an awesome community, and I've been really impressed about how great everyone is and how willing to help out.

As for the downwinders, there's the choice of the boat following you around or just a drop off and I chose the drop off. The tide was going in, so there was little danger while being out. I did a downwinder before with no trouble at Sherman, so the downwinder guy (DG) trusted I was ok at this. I had a friend kiting around me when I was far from shore for in case, and I'm a strong swimmer. DG made sure of all this, so I think he was perfectly reasonable in letting me do this. It was really my fault for not noticing that the wind got stronger (and I dont think a lesson would've helped with this, that's mainly experience) I didn't realize that I was coming in too fast until I tried to put my feet down. I gave myself about a second to try to depower sufficiently and punched out when I couldn't. I'm very sorry for putting the folks on the beach at risk too - but that was entirely my fault, not DGs.

Just to clarify about this past Saturday: I lost my board again (DG found it later) but I didn't need to punch out. I was on a 5m cause my 9m would've been too much (DG did say he won't take me up on a 9 - so I rented the 5 from some other guys as DG didnt have one). He also swung by with the boat halfway through my downwinder to make sure everything was ok. Sorry if there was a misunderstanding there.

As for downwinders in general - they help a lot. Even after several official lessons, you're not a pro and have to learn somehow. I'd much rather do it 2 miles out without many people around than near the shore in crowded waters.

Thanks again for the gear inspection - I will replace the rope (if you guys have a suggestion on the closest place in SF to get a slingshot one - I'm all ears) and thanks for the proper leash and help of getting my lines out of the bushes. You guys are great.

Cheers,
Olya

note on the 'DG's - I do some computer security work, so I'm careful about privacy issues in such cases.

[funkiatdabeech]

oh boy...., I see that hard-headed-dedicated-no-matter-what-I-can-do-It determination from my homeland Girl!! Just be careful - it's easy to get over confident and hurt your self. Besides that - you are a strong swimmer, just punch out and go for the shore. :character-ariel:
"DG": the untold story" - - cool. . . .
:scared-eek:

[friggin old guy]

If people aren't smart enough to figure out this is a dangerous sport, then.....well......duh.

I did the same thing when I was learning.....did a downwinder on an old 15m Diesel C 4 line kite with pretty much zero depower, had it pick up to 30 by the time I got to the beach.

Now I don't want to claim being a genius or anything, but it wasn't hard to figure out that the last place I wanted to be when I was that overpowered and out of control was near any hard objects. I put the kite down in the water near the tules and self rescued. There was no way I wanted to even be close to the beach with my kite in the air.

I didn't blame anybody but myself for getting into that situation. And....having gotten out of it, felt that much better about being able to handle predicaments (we all have kitemares now and then).

The guys doing the transport upwind should be cautioning people based on their knowledge and ability, and I think for the most part they do that. But in the end every individual has to take responsibility into their own hands.

[jono]

Olya! You still take breath from this earth! Good to see you. Your determination is inspiring, but I'm sure that can be said of Evil Kanevil as well ;). I bet after your last two sessions you are probably fairly safe to hit Sherman, have you practiced launching and landing the kite? Also, Alameda is awesome when you are trying to learn to go upwind, there is a huge beach and you can walk then do more kiting.

We all just worry a bit more after the last big accident, it put all of us in our place and reminded us how wrong things can go. I thought my suggestion of "depower the kite" was going to do you in that day since changing your attention from the kite to the cleat suddenly seemed like a really bad idea -- so I felt a twinge of what could happen next and was scared for you.

Don't forget there are other things besides getting lofted (don't get tangled in the lines, getting hit by the leashed board, etc.). Don't mean to scare you (none of us do, we will love to see you busting airs shortly), but caution is a good plan out there.

To replace that chicken loop line, go to West Marine in Oakland and get Amsteel line (I think that's what it's called). It should look similar to what you have now, be think and abrasion resistant. Google for it and I'm sure you will find the right line -- it's a specific type so make sure to get the right one. Then, walk out of West Marine and start yelling for LMG (he's sometimes nearby the WM) or bring it to Sherman and someone will help you rig it on your current bar if you have an extra beer ;).

[jjm]

Then, walk out of West Marine and start yelling for LMG (he's sometimes nearby the WM) or bring it to Sherman and someone will help you rig it on your current bar if you have an extra beer ;).

Why yell when you can make your very own L.M.G. signal from parts at West Marine? :lol: