Opinion Poll, Ban Kite Lessons at DCBB

[bordy]

Devils advocat warning...

How many North days have we had this year?

Newbs are not wise, patient and laid back. Most newbs are stoked to the point of stupidity (Trust me, I am expert at being a newb). I hope a lack of DC instruction does'nt move them to worse decisions like going it alone, kite on a south at Lindon, practice flying the new 11m Waroo at a park (I did NOT do that, My stupidity did not get that bad, just making a point) So my vote is for some sort of post intro lesson offering at DC. Bring on the jetski, or whatever, but something. Most sailable days will be at DC. Oh and at what point do you reach the Kite 2 rating. When do you become experianced enough to pass muster. I know, I know, I am a poleboarder I dont see the whole picture well. But if you set the bar, even if its really high, maybe newbs will be willing to do it safely and the right way. hope there will still be a open site at DC when I reach that point. Feel free to disregard, just some brainstorming.

Shawn I will bite,

There has been a ton of north days at UL for us kiters, If any kiter disagrees that there has been very little north days post it up. I have had well over 40.

Deer Creek BWB is alot like the peak of some great resort that you need to hike, or take a bird to get to. Teaching there is alot like saying, Begginer skiiers should be Helicoptered, to these peaks and taught to ski there, becuase thats were the best snow is.... DC has horrible wind to teach or learn, Brad gave a great summary of the problems reconized by instructors, and the orginized groups of experanced pros who have helped to devolop the teaching standard we all try to follow.

How many people are learning to windsurf at DC?

Have most people choose some were else to teach their friends to windsurf before bringing them to DC period??

There are locations in every sport, surfing, skiing, sailing, hiking, climbing, paragliding, skateboarding, bike riding, golf, etc. that have locations reguiring a minamum amout of skill to enjoy and be safe, DC is one of thoose spot for kiteboarding. If you have the skills to ride there you will have a great time.

The fact that we have a crew riding there, daily proves anyone can ride there with the right amount of practice, and to be safe for any of the curveballs DC can through at you having the experance and the time required to gain said experance if VERY important..

Saying you should be abile to by your way onto DC with a jetski and a lesson on the area with out the experance. Its almost like trying to buy your way onto everest with out being a mountaineer, just a hiker... things are going to go bad.

There are days it blows at Rufus but not at the sand bar, I don't see the gorge schools running down to rufus to teach. And you don't see the people at rufus worrying about the begginers all around them. Seems nice.

Just a side note there is no money in teaching kiting anyone doing it would have to teach about a hundred lessons a season to fund a jet ski with out any net earnings.

Just my take on trying to keep dc safe.

[Ralph Morrison]

hope there will still be a open site at DC when I reach that point.

That's what this discussion is all about. The problem with "newbs" at DC isn't only about hurting themselves, it's about hurting someone else. I'm all for the freedom to take personal risk, provided you're not going to take someone else out in the process. (even if you only hurt yourself but that caused Barbwire to close, you're hurting others) Many of the local kiters took their lessons outside the area. I took mine at Cape Cod. Others took theirs at the Gorge or South Padre, etc. Taking lessons while on vacation is a good way to go and that option will always be there. Barbwire Beach won't be if something happens.

[Marty Lowe]

That's what this discussion is all about. The problem with "newbs" at DC isn't only about hurting themselves, it's about hurting someone else. I'm all for the freedom to take personal risk, provided you're not going to take someone else out in the process. (even if you only hurt yourself but that caused Barbwire to close, you're hurting others) Many of the local kiters took their lessons outside the area. I took mine at Cape Cod. Others took theirs at the Gorge or South Padre, etc. Taking lessons while on vacation is a good way to go and that option will always be there. Barbwire Beach won't be if something happens.

When I have friends that want to learn,
I usually tell them to wait out the water season,
then just learn on the snow, because of how easy it is to learn on the snow.
It is a jump start for kiting on the water.
or
do as Ralph posted.

[Steven Nyhus]

How many people are learning to windsurf at DC?

Have most people choose some were else to teach their friends to windsurf before bringing them to DC period??

[/quote]


I learned to windsurf at DC and I would venture to say that most of the Utah windsurfers did too. Back in the early 80's there were lessons being taught there almost every day. Back then, and even now, the wind will blow you back to the beach if you stay in the bay area at IB. Big difference is that if a beginner windsurfer is at DC they get blown to the beach and walk back up wind and try it again. If one of the famous poltergusts hits them, they let go of the sail and fall into the water. There is no danger of getting lofted and dragged across the road and endangering their life or the life of a bystander. I have no problem with beginner windsurfers at DC. I think they would be relatively safe on any "typical" DC day. Inexperianced kiters on the other hand do not belong there. A few years ago, I watched a guy try to lanch from IB (when the water was way down). I say try to launch because he got dragged across the boat ramp, released his kite and it ended up in the fence up by the road. All I can say is that it was a good thing it was in the fall and not on a busy summer afternoon.

I know that the kiting community here is really good about stressing the importance of lessons. As a certified Ski Instructor I feel that anytime you venture into a new sport, lessons from a trained professional are a must. I can't tell you how many times I have seen a "friend" take someone to the top of the mountain and tell them to "just do what I do", it rarely turns out good. I have seen posts in a few forums about beginners saying that they can't afford lessons and are going to try to learn on their own. The response from experianced riders is what it should be, that they need to take lessons. This does not guarantee that the beginner will listen though. I feel it becomes the duty of experianced riders at the launch to "police" (for lack of a better word) and protect inexperianced kiters from hurting themselves and others.

I think that teaching someone to kite at DC is just a bad idea. If you are going to teach, choose the conditions (light winds on Utah Lake LB) that will give the beginners the best chance of success and let them progress to the point where they can handle DC. Don't just teach them there because that's where you want to ride. If you are going to teach, you have to make some sacrifices and just realize that you may miss out on some personal time. It's not about making money (as a high school teacher, I know), it's about safely sharing the stoke and educating people about the good and bad and giving them the skills they need to progress in a safe manner. Oh, and it is also about keeping access open so that you can enjoy doing what you do. One accident at any State Park in Utah could put a blanket ban on kiting. Then where will you be?

Keep the discussion lines open, and find a solution that works for everyone.

[Shawn Henderson]

Bordy, Very good points for sure.

DC cannot be tamed, you have to be prepared for what she can dish out. You just never know what wind will do from one moment to the next. Too bad there isn’t a gust resistant kite, or something that would auto flag under a measured load... That would cause even more problems I suppose.

Anyways not trying to kick the bees nest just searching for answers that do not yet exist. Oh and it sounds like the North wind has been better to you guys then me.

[Craig Denton]

I vote teach everywhere at all times.

Peace,

Craig

[swilliamson]

I VOTE NO. It's totally unfair to start this type of restriction. There are plenty of more dangerous places to learn to kite. If you start rating them it will open up a whole can of worms. It's not even "our" property. If it were my property i may be pissed that people i don't even know are decided its fate.
No way.

[jason morton]

People we see kiting maybe three times per year need not vote!!!!

[Steven Nyhus]

It's not even "our" property. If it were my property i may be pissed that people i don't even know are decided its fate.

They are not deciding the fate of the property, they are deciding the fate of those that are using the property. Like you say, "It's not even "our" property", access can be lost just like Richardson Flats in PC.