Dangerous launching at 3rd

Loscocco · Post by **Loscocco** » Sun May 08, 2011 10:38 pm

VERY well said LMG. I agree it seems like a lot of people get a kite in their hands these days without knowing the principles about how the wind works and how a kite works relative to that dynamic. It is something schools should be a lot more proactive about teaching

L.M.G. wrote:It's the responsibility of the KITER (about to BE launched) not the launcher to properly SET THE ANGLE of ATTACK prior to giving the thumbs up.
To properly set the "angle of attack" the KITER MOVES upwind or downwind in relation to the kite, the LAUNCHER IS SUPPOSED TO STAY IN PLACE-

To DETERMINE the PROPER LAUNCH ANGLE the KITES FOIL should be COMPLETELY FILLED WITH AIR- NOT LUFFING or JUMPING FORWARD into the wind!

This UNDERSTANDING (knowledge) SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN KITEBOARDING for it is the VERY FOUNDATION of airfoil aerodynamics.

Since kiteboarding involves NON RIDGED WINGS the proper angle of attack is VERY EASY TO DETERMINE, simply look for LUFFING and MOVE ACCORDINGLY to the WIND ANGLE.

It is IMPORTANT to REMEMBER the wind is NOT FIXED to ANY DIRECTION therefore it can CHANGE AT ANY TIME at EVERY LAUNCH- Sometimes the wind seems to be VERY GUSTY when in FACT it is SHIFTY (changing directions). Wind passing over land tends to be MORE GUSTY due to GROUND EFFECT and THERMALS. Ground effect is mostly TUMBLING AIR and feels like PULSES whereas "LOCAL" Thermal effect is LIFTING and LULLING. Ground effect is sometimes notable in ONSHORE CONDITIONS where the wind actually GOES ALLOFT instead of sticking close to the surface.

I suggest every kiter get SCHOOLED on WHAT MAKES YOUR WING WORK and LEARN ABOUT WEATHER PATTERNS for EVERY SITE you intend to use BEFORE KITING that location-

Personally- I WANT EVERYONE TO BE SAFE on and off shore.
NOTE: I'm NOT AN INSTRUCTOR and NEVER HAD INSTRUCTION (we could only learn from each other's mistakes when I started) therefore I will NEVER AGAIN LAUNCH KITERS that DONT DISPLAY an UNDERSTANDING of their equipment- (even if they took MULTIPLE PROFESSIONAL LESSONS, if they dont know- I WONT LET THEM GO) I WILL simply PUT DOWN THE KITE AND WALK AWAY!!!
SPECIAL NOTE: Also I WONT LAUNCH SEASONED KITERS that are UNRESPONSIBLE , SELFISH or ACT PLAIN STUPID ever again!!!!!! (they SHOULD be made to self launch/land I.M.H.O.)

Have FUN! :handgestures-thumbup:
Gregory Burton Boyington aka- L.M.G.

jbirdmarin · Post by **jbirdmarin** » Sun May 08, 2011 10:44 pm

I think one of my parents is a DEE.

Loscocco · Post by **Loscocco** » Mon May 09, 2011 12:17 am

jbirdmarin wrote:I think one of my parents is a DEE.

so thats makes your kids a.......
:)

Greg · Post by **Greg** » Mon May 09, 2011 7:14 am

Loscocco wrote:[ so thats makes your kids a.......
:)

Day must BEEEEeeeee, JUST LIKE ME!!! :banana-blonde: :banana-angel: :banana-guitar: :banana-dreads: :banana-ninja: :banana-parachute:

DaDee, DaDEE, DaDeee, daDEEEE-DEEE-DEEEEE-----

LOL! :lol:

Have FUN EVERYBODY, Share your LOVE YOUR BRADDA's and SISSTA'S!
Enjoy-
L.M.G.

baypirate · Post by **baypirate** » Mon May 09, 2011 9:49 am

we also need a write-up about what "yanking on the red [strap]" is for.

I'm not making this up, among many exciting... (near) undertakings on Fri, we (as in "several assistants"), helped a guy eventually land his kite. Once heart rates came down, I suggested to him next time should not come to land fully powered (nor should he launch that way). He ask me what I meant, I pointed to his trim strap. He said, oh, so if I "yank on the red thing" the kite has less power?

robert-g · Post by **robert-g** » Mon May 09, 2011 2:44 pm

baypirate wrote:we also need a write-up about what "yanking on the red [strap]" is for.

I'm not making this up, among many exciting... (near) undertakings on Fri, we (as in "several assistants"), helped a guy eventually land his kite. Once heart rates came down, I suggested to him next time should not come to land fully powered (nor should he launch that way). He ask me what I meant, I pointed to his trim strap. He said, oh, so if I "yank on the red thing" the kite has less power?

Wow! Did he say were he learned to kite?

robert-g · Post by **robert-g** » Mon May 09, 2011 2:44 pm

baypirate wrote:we also need a write-up about what "yanking on the red [strap]" is for.

I'm not making this up, among many exciting... (near) undertakings on Fri, we (as in "several assistants"), helped a guy eventually land his kite. Once heart rates came down, I suggested to him next time should not come to land fully powered (nor should he launch that way). He ask me what I meant, I pointed to his trim strap. He said, oh, so if I "yank on the red thing" the kite has less power?

Wow! Did he say were he learned to kite?

Greg · Post by **Greg** » Mon May 09, 2011 9:04 pm

but what if I dont have no stinking red strap-on.... (LOL)

I've ALWAYS wanted to establish a REAL GRADUATION process for OUR SCHOOLS, (pass/fail system) but that isn't practical...... We lost that battle LONG AGO, when internet sales came into play- and then there are used kites flooding the market....

sorry- time for me to stop preaching-

Have FUN!!!
L.M.G.

baypirate · Post by **baypirate** » Tue May 10, 2011 9:59 am

robert-g wrote: Wow! Did he say were he learned to kite?

I got in more trouble than I need as it is by "naming names" on another thread, but I did ask him and it was a local "refresher lesson".

I'm a little torn about holding schools accountable for everything that newbies do once they go out on their own, but at same time we will get to a point where we either become... shall we say, cranky like the SoCal or worse off, lose our beaches to "regulated access" like FL, Chicago etc.

That said, some schools are quite... hands-off once the paid time is up (and even during...) , not to mention advertising "2hr learn to kite lesson", putting 6 "never-evers" in a group lesson or letting beginners land by themselves at Sherman after a "downwinder". Surely, not everyone will learn to kite, but there is a red albeit fine line between laissez-faire and recklessness, even if you run a business.

Also we should acknowledge that schools have their own objective challenges, partly self-inflicted (e.g. irrational competition, incl. through pricing), partly objective (e.g. not a business with great economics, serious shortage of instructors etc.)

HelmKites3rd · Post by **HelmKites3rd** » Tue May 10, 2011 10:06 am

On Friday, May 6th between 5-7pm, While giving a Intro Trainer Kite lesson in 20+ winds i saw 3 very sketchy incidents at 3rd ave.

1) The guy who almost hit the rocks. (our student pointed out that his kite was on the path). I ran over to him and made sure he was OK. (As did 5 or so others).
Regardless of level, regardless of what kite he was on, SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY!!!!
If you are unsure ASK.
If you feel like you are going to get bitched out because someone does not want to launch you in 20+ winds with a 12m kite (and you weigh 150) dont be discouraged, be enlightened!
Too Many people are getting on the forums to bad-mouth beginners-BUT if Beginners keep receiving poor TRAINING, how else are locals going to react?

2) I customer I personally sold a Kite to nearly lost his kite while un-rigging. His kite ("secured by 2 sandbags") picked up and almost made it into the Golf Course (hole 3?). I had a good laugh but warned him "I do not want to sell you another kite because this one was not secured after flying. Since i sold it maybe less than 7 days ago!

3) The person floating around last chance beach.
I noticed that there were 2 people in the water--if that 2nd person was assisting the first: BRAVO! BUT, to the kiter who ended up there: Make sure you know how to self rescue, body drag, and stay close to Landmarks.

By Landmarks: If you start at the upper launch, and can see the carpet area where windsurfers rig, AND you can see the ramp, you probably are too far down to make it to the Lower Launch.

That walk from Inktomi beach SUCKS and I have personally done "the walk of shame" more than once.

To all readers, future and present Kitesufers, Please note that this sport is very dangerous, and there are RISKs involved once you decide to buy a kite.

Be AWARE at all times of your surroundings, the people on the path, in the water, and your fellow sailors. There is always someone there to help, just give a smile and lend a hand! This "cluelessness" to "assholeness" is nothing more than some middle-school BS that I will not stand for. My shop does not police you. Neither does Boardsports, KiteGearBox, or even KiteTheBay.

Being PRO-active starts with lending a hand. It is not about territory, it is about the VALUE OF LIFE. So pull your head out of your ass and ASK FOR HELP!

Best Wishes,

Greg Stupplebeen
Helm of Sun Valley
333 North Amphlett Blvd
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650)344-2711

personal email: norcalkeleko@gmail.com

BayAreaKiteboarding.com