Utah Windriders Association

No real point here,
I just liked this editorial,
from the editor of SBC Kiteboard magazine.

-Marty


" Kiteboarding is experiencing exponential growth and, as a result, some growing pains. The advent of safer high-depowering SLE and bow-style kites has some riders taking shortcuts in their progression. People are becoming self-sufficient riders faster than ever before, but as a result, they’re also missing out on a great deal of the mentorship that experienced riders took for granted in their learning curves. It was during this mentorship that most riders learned local beach etiquette.
It is the etiquette aspect of the sport that increasingly has experienced riders shaking their heads in disbelief and, for the first time ever, wondering if there may be too many riders. Localism may even be on the rise as a result, and this would be a tragic loss for the sport. Growing crowds and congested riding spots are something we are all learning to live with. In many cases, they inspire us to set out and find new places to ride.
That, to me, has always been one of the greatest appeals of kiteboarding—the search for new spots. I have spent countless hours scoping out new locations with Google Earth before making the expeditionary first strike to the as-of-yet-unridden location. Increasingly, I have been arriving to my next secret location only to find a crew of locals already ripping it up.
“How are the conditions today?”
“Any hazards to watch out for?”
Having a friendly bunch of locals already on the scene makes riding easier and less stressful. The less busy the beach, the more friendly the locals, and the longer and more in-depth their responses to the standard questions.
The beach I normally ride is becoming one of the area’s busier beaches. On the days I can’t visit somewhere less traveled, I try to answer visiting riders’ questions with the same enthusiasm I receive at the almost-deserted beaches. I will happily explain the launching and landing etiquette and the rules of the road to the newcomers. It seems we’ve all been doing this on a daily basis since we started kiteboarding.
One thing I will not happily do is explain the local beach etiquette to a new rider who has forgotten to ask anyone. I will still do it, but I ’m sure you’ll agree: none of us want to feel like a beach cop. Riders new to the scene should come over to us and ask about local etiquette before we need to go over and tell them what they’re doing wrong.
Asking questions is the ultimate sign of respect, and it goes along way to keeping localism to a minimum. I am looking forward to asking and answering lots of questions this summer.

John Bryja
Editor"

I liked this article. I hope to soon be at a skill level to kite outside of Utah, and think this is great advice. One question though; what are the types of questions one should ask locals?

I would ask...

1. Where is the preferred launching and landing area? Sometimes there are beach splits, with windsurfers upwind and kiters on the downwind side of the beach. Or like Sherman Island, you must launch in a specific spot between trees, etc.

2. What is the normal wind conditions? Like what is the direction of the prevailing flow or...is this normal today?

3. What or where are the local obstacles....what should I avoid or be cautious of? Some areas require boooties because of sharp bottom surface under water.

4. If I go down wind... where is a safe place to come in... or what is the local procedure? Some beaches have restrictions on beach access, some just have obstacles like piers or jetty's, stc.

5. Any other thought the pops in your head that would make you feel more aware of the situation.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

Marty,

Excellent article to put up. Just curious about the name "eddie cut,,," Is it an editorial cut? , eddie would go?

John Bryja has some excellent points. 1st off, it's all about respect and respecting others. quote: "Asking questions is the ultimate sign of respect, and it goes along way to keeping localism to a minimum."

I think a couple of the best questions are about where to set up your lines and pump up your kite. These are the 2 that can really mess up a launch site. The actual launching is also important and the exit strategy as well.

When I was at the sandspit in the gorge a few years ago, I heard the locals complaining about people laying out their lines before pumping up. In a tight launch area, this can also be an issue. What order to set up?

Don't be afraid to ask.......it helps everyone out and does show respect. Whit

whit wrote:Marty,

Excellent article to put up. Just curious about the name "eddie cut,,," Is it an editorial cut? , eddie would go?

Whit

It was during this mentorship that most riders learned local beach etiquette.
It is the etiquette aspect of the sport that increasingly has experienced riders shaking their heads in disbelief and, for the first time ever, wondering if there may be too many riders.
I will happily explain the launching and landing etiquette and the rules of the road to the newcomers.
One thing I will not happily do is explain the local beach etiquette to a new rider who has forgotten to ask anyone.
John Bryja
Editor"

guess I just cant spell

-Marty

Marty,
I'm glad your mind is on your P's and Q's... glad you have good kite eddie cut on the beach too.

Windzup