Mentor a Soloist

[eteamer]

I took first timer lessons from Ovi at Kite 415, got further in Maui and learned to ride. Took a few more lessons from Ovi and learned to go both ways a bit better but then the season ended. I decided I needed a camp that would take from instructor supervised to independent and Real Kiteboarding on Hatteras fit the bill. Spent last Fri, Sat and Sun with them and worked on riding both ways, going upwind (pretty much to the right only for me), doing transitions, riding one handed, working the kite in super light winds, self launching and landing and right of way. It was great. Up to this point I really just didn't feel good about heading out on my own, but now I know what to do and don't think I'll be a danger to anyone or myself. I have lots of airsports experience. Grew up racing sailboats, hang glided for 15 years, skydived 500+ times and paraglided a tiny bit. Pretty air savvy any way.

I live in Marin and work the usual schedule but can get out when I need to and easily on Friday afternoons.

Thanks for replying!

[WindMuch]

Send me a note via email (kirk@lansharks.net) and we can figure out ways to get you riding at Alameda when the wind is right.

I have two friends who are riding right about where you're at, so I'm kind of tuned in to when Alameda is in the 9 to 12 meter range. I can give you a heads-up when we're heading down...

Kirk out

[nbon]

The mentor thing sounds like a great idea. As a newb I've definitely been struggling along water boarding myself and getting numerous saline nasal rinses as I learn to get up and stay up on the board. The gang at Boardsports (where I took my lesson) and at Shellgate have been very generous with tips and advice so that's been very useful.

I kind of figured it wouldn't be very pretty for a while and that I just had to spend time in the saddle to learn what's what. Your idea sounds like a better plan but I do think part of the process is just gutting it out and pretty soon your body just learns by itself. I haven't been out yet where I haven't come back having learned something.

Newbie Norman

[WindMuch]

I think once you're up and riding, I agree, it's all about time on the water. You just gotta get out and figure out how to edge against the kite and stay upwind.

What I found daunting was the first time (or two) of showing up at the beach (particularly new launches) after my initial lessons and had to figure out how to set up my kite, make sure my lines were right and that I wasn't going to do something really stupid when launching and landing.

As a "mentor', I just want to make sure there is help available to new folks, just as they're leaving the nest...

Kirk out

[CdoG]

I like to Mentor,with kiters that i have barked at for going outside what is safe or just bad pratice
then i can Mentor them with soft and gental voice to help them get up to speed,be safe and also keep the flow going at alameda and when they are ready "other "spots..

i also have a kite buddy that can be wel,..............l a kite buddy
help launh and land

[maxsteamer]

Hey Guys/Gals..

No# 1 ..rule for a new kiter ..should be to never kite solo in the first place.


I have offered many times my ph. to anyone who cannot find a buddy to kite with and our crew here at the shellgate launch are a up tight bunch!!, and we make sure that any new kiter is on our radar ... If you can't answer a few simple questions about a self rescue you will be walked up to the shack by one of the crew.. if you refuse you will be asked to leave ? if the kiter is not safe then it is our job to make sure that they understand what could happen.

If you mentor a new kiter ?? make dam sure you tell them you are not a teacher unless you are .. most kiters will be happy for the info but if they are hurt in any way the story will change to " that guy told me toooo" this is one sport where if your kite is not flyin you be a swimmin !!!.DA.... I found myself out with a kiter that did not know how to swim and lied that they did I know it sounds stupid.. best to ask them up front , that way you can hop over the fence if need be. Oh just to make it clear.. the kiter was taught to swim and is now a pretty good kiter .. he is one of the crew and when he kites he is the last guy to leave the beach as to make sure everyone is back on sand before he will leave.

Most of you guys know me as that old blind fart that you try to avoid so as I won't run over you out in the water. JK. but it is true ?? I can't see very good if my google glasses our wet from a crash ..this is why I try to just mo the grass most of the time.. but if I do see you I will help you!!!.. or I will get to the beach and get one of the crew out to you .. so if you see me leave I'm going for help so please don't panic. A guy the other day came up to me and said thanks bro.. and gave me the finger.. I tryed to tell him?? the guy that helped him was sent by me but he would not stop to here of it .. Im 63 but trust me if I can't help you myself I will not leave you out there without help!!!

Max be with you " don't fly solo ever !!!

[Greg]

I want to say THANK YOU to ALL THE PEOPLE that STEP UP and HELP-

Be they: "working on the beach"; launching and landing kites, walking the beach to pick up a kiter blown down wind, the marshals that (try) to keep things right on and off the water, the posters that give endless guidance over the net, the schools that do their best to instruct others on how to get into the sport, the membership of the SFBA/RVKA, SSA..... who work to protect/enhance and shape the world of kiteboarding-

To ALL THE MENTORS OF THIS SPORT: (no matter how big or small)
The activists/kiters/windsurfers/enviromentalists/rugged individualists/party throwers/ and or simply AWESOME KITERS who work to protect access/OUR FRIENDS and THE GENERAL PUBLIC... YOU ARE HELPING SHAPE OUR FUTURE-

I want to say with the most sincerity MY HAT IS OFF TO YOU!!!! =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

MUCH-MUCH LOVE!!! (Gregory Burton Boyington)
L.M.G. aka. LoudMouthGreg

[CdoG]

I was out last week Mentoring a buddy...at shellgate
Max nice job ,and nice site....!
anyway there was a guy with his wife and little baby he was going to ride no matter what .
The wind was light and he was dropping his kite onshore befor he could get going
i told my buddy to chill by her kite and went over to his wife and told her that the baby
could be in a bad spot as she was crawling over the lines...
after the thrid drop and me leaveing my buddy to help him i asked him to just take a brake
there where people downwind from him and he could not keep his kite up
my buddy and i went way upwind of every one and she had a good ses working on stuff
she asked me if she could kite buddy for him and i asked her doing what
she said help luacnh and then walk downwind to land him
i told her that was a grate idel,
as he needed some help and not his wife and babby who didnt kite.

[maxsteamer]

Sir Charles,

Thanks for the heads up on the kiter behaving badly ..I think I know who this guy is but not sure ?? if it is the same family.. did you happen to get any names ? or could you identify the kiter if you saw him again. thanks for your visit to the shellgate launch we don't get many old school kiters down here.. but the crew thanks you for your "Report" as we do try hard to keep things safe down here.

I did report this to the kiteloop our crew website and will wait for there response.. if we need to contact you on this matter will this be ok with you ?? just to remind you I'm just a concerned kiter tyin to keep the launch safe ,, I will ask the crew to keep there eyes open for this kiter.. and I will let you know when what we do about it .. till then happy memorial day to you and your bro Bruce and your families... thanks for your help sir and hope to see you down here soon..Max & Pam

[CdoG]

Thanks max and you and pam too have a grate memorial day too
i dont think he was behaving too badly he just needed a kite buddy....
My kite buddy really liked the vibe at shellgate and on another visit loved it when pam hit the bull horn to alert evey one of a falled luach