BMW kite guy??? getting scary...any thoughts????

[bordy]

If you are BMW guy please stop getting hurt. Notice how every one else is not doing what you do.....you need a lesson! Think of the money you already spent on kite repair and band aids.

For the rest of us what should we do? Many kiters have already spoken to BMW guy, myself included and it seems as though he is not open to suggestions from us.

After watching him trash another kite on the beach, and seeing him get dragged on the rocks ...again. Plus his unsafe launches, car tethering of himself and his kite..... plus he's now "giving advise" really really bad advise, to other new kiters.

I feel like it may be time for the community to step in.

I am fearful that my comments are taken as nothing more then a sales pitch to make money, when I speak to him. However the saftey aspects can no longer be over looked.

I don't want to become "that beach" that stops anyone from launching but, it seems time to do so.

What are others thoughts on the matter?

[john l]

I would just have to agree. I just met him yesterday and seems like a nice enough guy (sorry forgot you're name already). I was happy another kiter was there to help me launch, especially since it was a pretty high wind day. However, it was one of the scarier launches I've received, he didn't seem to know how to hold the kite properly. I was happy to see he didn't set up and try launching until more people showed up. Did he ask anyone for a launch when he was ready to go? (I know there was at least one other person around) Also, I probably should have asked him why he parked by the water but assumed him was just dropping his gear down there. I think that is a safety concern too, especially since he parked downwind of the starting off point.

It's hard to say someone can't launch, we were all beginners at one point and had to learn by doing, but there are times when condition are not good for learning, like the beginning of yesterdays session. He even admitted to me that the conditions were probably beyond his skill level and he was just going to watch me for a bit before deciding to go out.

I think the kite community is great here. Being new to the community in Utah, I have to say everyone I've met has been really friendly and helpful. So, if you're reading this, Billy comments are from a view point of a concern for your safety and not a sales pitch.

So what do we do other than keep trying to explain the safety concerns of doing stupid things???

[Mark Johnson]

Yep we all have done stupid things and I hope this guy becomes open to suggestions before being seriously hurt. We all take chances but minimizing the risk is in everyones best interest. It is much more fun riding within your limits and not getting hurt. When I started times were tough and I could not pay for lessons let alone buy the right gear. Thanks to the locals for giving good advice and helping out with finding good gear. I would suggest to come over and introduce yourself. I haven't met any mean kiters. If you can a lesson will get you going alot faster, if not take your time and do a lot of listening and watching before going out. I Have been riding for a long time and still am not to the point were many with lessons are that just got into it, but thats allright for me, I plan on riding for a long time. I try to be safe and have made misstakes but I also know when to call it a day and sit back and watch and learn, which is what I was planning on doing yesterday when I realized that I left my small kite at home. Thanks to friends that lent me the right kites I was able to ride and have a blast! Thanks!

[salvador]

plase park you car in park lot

[Kenny]

BMW kiter guy,

Let me tell you why Billy is concerned. If you hurt yourself, Billy is going to be the one that saves your hide. I have a lot of respect for Billy, sure he talks a lot, but he knows what he is talking about. A kite that can pull you around on the water is an incredibly powerful piece of equipment. If you respect it, you will have loads of fun. If you don't, you may end up maimed or dead.

We have had two serious kiting incidents in Utah. One man died, another had a serious brain injury. The incidents were separate and unrelated.

I personally don't want to see another serious kiteboarding injury, nor do I want to see a kiter injure an innocent bystander. The first type of incident is a tragedy for the kiting community and the next of kin, the second type of incident gets launch areas shut down.

There are a few of us that will get in your face if we see you doing something stupid. We will be nice at first, but if you continue to ignore us, we are not going to sit around and let you get our favorite locations shut down by your stupid antics.

[scottgoslin]

The Bmw kiter is caller Pete.
And I am not a kiter and just a mere pole surfer. i did talk to him, and he does not belong to the UWA, first question I asked. Sorry i did'nt get around to introduce myself( Kiters).
He does need a lesson!
Please for his own saftey i agree with your blog about him. Mabey someone will get through to him. I did see the fear in his eyes after the first ,very scary , 15 footer at 1 foot off the ground and going full speed.
I guess my point is : I agree with what your saying, he needs help. Glad to see a community to say something, but mabey we should say it to him( in a way he will listen) mabey the # for Life flight on a bussiness card . hand them out at the beach ? fliers for all at the restroom, on your car on a flyer.
Yes i am sure you all have talked to him, but have you done it with lowerd Kiter ego, not your session , but how to improve his session. Mabey let him know we are talking and how we feel about his saftey, not us to get him to see the whole issue.
I mean he is a reflection of his enviroment, and he needs HELP!! He apperently has the $$ to trash kites and medical bills, bike racks on the car.
I know what your thinking, damm pole surfer. ( This is never the attitude i have ever felt from the Utah community)
But i am glad to see the good kiters agree on saftey issues, before they are a issue for the whole community
Someone said" we were all there at one time" so show how good you are and show the great sportsmenship , I have seen with the UWA membership and community.

I did talk to some the other kiters , I was seeing gusts up to mid 20'-32s when i got off the first time and up to 39 mph on the jettie when all the kites started up. Utah lake is big and will KIll the stupid.

After thought what is the issue with no PDF or helment for the beginners, are you guys just to damm tough or something else?

[Marty Lowe]

I know what your thinking, damm pole surfer.

The good thing about our joined efforts (windsurfing/kiting)
I've never herd that said
or even felt that vibe.

I agree with what your saying, he needs help. Glad to see a community to say something, but mabey we should say it to him( in a way he will listen) mabey the # for Life flight on a bussiness card . hand them out at the beach ? fliers for all at the restroom, on your car on a flyer.
Yes i am sure you all have talked to him, but have you done it with lowerd Kiter ego, not your session , but how to improve his session. Mabey let him know we are talking and how we feel about his saftey, not us to get him to see the whole issue.

I'm sure Pete- BMW guy won't read this or any other forum.

Maybe the next time ULLB is on, let's print off this thread and put it on his car.

After thought what is the issue with no PDF or helment for the beginners, are you guys just to damm tough or something else?

Some of us old farts know we won't ever be cool enough,
and always wear helmets and pfd,

My impact vest/pfd fits comfortably under my drysuit.

And my helmet does triple duty.
Safety
Sun visor
Helps keep my glasses on


-Marty

[tjacques]

bill
just saw thread. you are right on. he scared me. i wish he would come up and just ask for help,all kiters and windsurfers in utah are very helpful and would gladly give a hand. if he hurts himself or someone else we could lose lincoln as a kite spot. we as a organized sport should help police our launchs for our own good. lincoln is a awesome kite spot.

[bordy]

All but maybe two kiters riding on Friday had a PFD/impact vest and helmet. I watched BMW guy for two hours; I was pretty sure he would need a trip to the hospital. Just ask for help!

Christy

[David Kyle]

Looks like im late on this subject, But Im a brand new kiter. I showed up, only him and buddy were parked on rocks. It was kinda amusing
as his kite let out a huge CABOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!! as it was pulled to shore tied in a square knot. But I was stoked that someone else was there to teach me something.
Wont go through the whole deal, but It got freaky when he launched my kite right as looked up from rigging my loop with no time to check lines. Oh HA HA HA he told me to stand on the board
and water launch ten feet off the beach at Lincoln. Now I can almost see through my $400 trainer board. Dont mean to go on with this but, " arent you supposed to take begginer kiters as far upwind from land to launch as possible?" Who was I to argue with a pro kiter guy! I was lucky to meet some of you guys there with some real advice.
I am extremely stoked to get advice from experienced riders, I'd love to go home in one piece after a session and hope I have a little room to talk in this forum.

[Kenny]

David,

Most of the local crew is competent. However, I found that if you don't know a person, it is a good idea to take a minute and discuss the launch before proceeding.

Sounds like the blind leading the blind with you and the BMW guy the other day. I am just glad that it is your board that was shredded and not you!

Kenny

[RickHeninger]

Hmmm... Maybe I won't buy that BMW after all! Actually I wasn't considering buying one, necessarily...

You're super heroes who will probably save a or some live(s)... But I'm with Bordy et. al. on stuff like this, take action ASAP.

AWESOME application of the UWA here!

[Marty Lowe]

Peter was at ULLB last night.
We talked about our concern for his safety and he understands.
He has read this thread and knows we will answer any questions.
He is on a much safer SLE kite now.
I launched him, after he sorted out a few issues.

All is well in BMW guy land. (for now)

-Marty

[RickHeninger]

lol

Nice job! Living up to our most important UWA mission.

[bordy]

Yep,

I saw Peter the day before and we talked for a while also, I am sure between Marty and I he understands what a great community we have.