by bordy » Sun Jun 27, 2010 11:45 am
Launch it up safe !
What a junk show on the land out ther last night, I as well made a costly error in the end of the evening thinking it had slowed down enough to land in the grass I had done so a hour before, only to almost get taken for a free ride when a excited beach goer turned the road into a drag strip. I took a few steps to get the lines on the ground just in time..... this isn't the only time a car and some kite lines have crossed paths there.
I think not just last night, but also any night many of us need to focus on our ground handling, This is the most dangerous part of our sport in the summer. Even on slow nights people will just stand around and watch someone try to self land or try and fish a board out of their truck or car??????? go catch that pesons kite, help them grab gear etc.. make it safe, Ok.
Last night I pumped up and strung up by the gazobo then, wrapped up and walked to the water and lauched Christy wet, this seemed to be the safest route? This is the same way I have taught every student, I think thats the safest? then I caught her kite wet and relaunched wet for me! Thanks to Mel for watching Calvin so it could go down that way. I did land on the grass as well as launch from there later when the beach had cleared.
If its busy perhaps we really need to police ourselves. most of the locals get lax when its just us. last night the busy beach was the new factor. I think we should adjust when it is like that. Launch wet or at the waters edge, its only rolling and unrolling your lines, plus if you are a solo stud you can drift launch if your last out. When it comes to landing we all need to step it up and keep a eye on fellow kiters coming in, any one landing a kite should be the priority, not sipping on a beer, or chatting in a circle, etc. take the minute it takes to catch a kite and keep our beach safe.
We all know how dangerous our gear can be if things fail, no one else on the beach has a clue, it is up to us to maintain safe ground handling. And a smart route in and out of the luanch.