Launching Etiquette @Ocean Beach

[sobi 41]

Hi Everyone,

Born and raised at OB, and have been surfing/kiting here for many years. So, I need to express my concerns about whats not cool and good here at Ocean Beach.
Since we have no rules and etiquette in place. Kiters here are like cowboys shooting up the town.
The first thing I learned when I took kiting lessons 9 yrs ago was to never launch within 100 meters downwind of obstacles/obstructions. Am I right or wrong? Then why is it that a majority of kiters launch within 10 to 20 feet from sea wall her at OB. I'm tired of being the bad guy telling kiters to launch down by the shore. In case of bridal wrap or rigging mishaps, that I've seen happen many tines. Then I have to help kiters that could not eject in time heading toward sea wall. Another issue that is not tolerated, is walking up the sea wall stairs and hanging out with your kite over the parking lot near highway. This is a "No Fly" zone and should be just plain common sense. Also landing kites in walkway/parking lot where pedestrians are is dangerous! I don't want to see someone die or get hurt. Want to be friendly and safe about this, before they close Ocean Beach to kiters-like they did to land bugging. So, I'm asking for input from the kiting community and to pass the word to be safe. Just want to keep Ocean Beach open for kiting.

[le noun]

Never seen anybody doing this at OB :shock:
Sounds pretty dumb behavior indeed.
I've seen people rig up close to the wall but then moving everything close to the water line before launching.
Needless to say, if I see somebody with his/her kite in the air on the parking lot I'll go and talk to him/her. :roll:

It doesn't even seem practical as it's already a pain in the neck walking those 50 feet towards the water with your kite in the air and the wind blowing full on onshore.

[sloughslut]

Thats how they launch at Waddell. right next to the rocks and parking. I take my rig down to the waters edge, more drag room when stuff goes bad.

[sobi 41]

Monkey see Monkey do!

[WindMuch]

These are all excellent points and a good refresher for the new and uninitiated to OB.

I'll also step in and spread the word on safer launchings/landings if/when I see them...

Kirk out

[Aloha]

+1 for beach police effort, sign me up. If I see it happening I got your back to help enforcing - public safety and community access is what's most important

[SFPete]

The first thing I learned when I took kiting lessons 9 yrs ago was to never launch within 100 meters downwind of obstacles/obstructions.

Don't you mean upwind?

[CdoG]

Sobie41
I feel you also ya you would think common sense(the lowest form of intelligence) would prevelle
Not all is groupon here SHELL GATE Had a hand in it And started before groupon....
BUT
NOT TO POINT A FINGER
Where do we go from here?

[Stefaans]

I do everything wrong there sounds like.
Here's the deal. I only kite there after work so show up late. i jump in my suit and run down with my gear. once pumped up right at the wall i get a quick launch and run out and kite leaving my pump bag etc on the beach come in land and that's that.
Why do I do this? Well issue is there is always somebody at the parking lot to launch or land you. If you go all the way to the waters edge you need to self launch and land and honestly the way the winds been blowing i'll take my chances at the wall with a safe launch from somebody in the parking lot. gives me a chance to inspect my rigging before you give the thumbs up. same thing with landing. i'll rather land my kite into somebody's hands 5 feet of the wall than trying to put it down in 30knts at waters edge. Yes I know how to self launch and land but just don't like it.
No real argument here just trying to explain my reasoning.

[sloughslut]

Very good point! its hard to get someone to walk down to water for a launch, Same thing at Sherman, beach is safer but errbody hangs at the parking, same at Waddell,Dillon You would think athletic people like kiters would not mind a short walk ";