Conversation with fellow kiter revolving around idiosyncrasies. Peculiarities we have when doing downwinders and we are by ourselves. He says he sings and speaks 'sweetly' to his kite, says things like 'You are a good kite aren't you, you're so fast, good kite.'
His friend said he talks to the waves and calls certain waves by particular names depending on their size and masculinity. His waves are mostly males.
Me, i squeal and whoop and tell particular waves to 'come and get me', also i tend to call my kite a 'fat bitch' when she is particularly slow.
What is your individual quirkiness?
I always knew there was something quirky about kiters. I just couldnt quite figure what it was, till now
I think windsurfers are too busy concentrating on what they are doing.
This thread explains a lot....
If I muff a gybe, and the rig does the "like a knife straight down thing", and then there's a lull, I tend to find myself singing "da da....... da da.........."
what were you thinking gorgo. You were supposed to ride onto the beach if there is a windsurfer behind you. some consideration please.
Lets be honest here people:
Q: if you get smacked in the head by your rig, do you?
a: say gently "silly me, that kind of hurt"
b: "Jesus Christ, how much of a dumb arse can I be"
c: "you do that again mother***** and Ill smash you"
Q: You drop your brand new board on the only rock on the beach and hear the crunch of epoxy, do you?
a: drop to your knees and apologise to your new baby whilst stroking the deck?
b: look for something to bash the **** out of?
c: run into the water and spend an inordinate time under water swearing like a wharfie so the whole beach doesnt witness your frustration?
Q: A sweet wave comes through, you are in perfect position and nobody else is in drop in mode, do you?
a: sheet in and simply fall in from sheer excitement?
b: pray to an ultimate being who just goes "sucker" and makes you dig a rail?
c: think, I have this thing about giving a sacrifice to Huey for my good luck and fall in from sheer excitement?
Yeah right!!!!!!!!!!
At metro beaches (thank fk I am hardly ever there) I get sick of kiters turning 2ft off the beach in water I can't sail in. You don't know if they are going in to finish for the day or if they are heading back out. Why not do your inside gybe 10-50m out like everybody else always has?
So you guys sneak up behind a happy kiter, singing his heart out with the joy of blasting around in the ocean, you sit in a blind spot behind and slightly downwind blocking the exit to his gybe (which is inevitable), you tailgate all the way into the shore break, the kiter drops into a wave and turns out, has to avoid you because you can't stop or turn (and you are sitting in the exit to his turn), and it's the kiter's fault?
Short answer: Yep, thats what Im saying. Your post makes it sound like you were the one not paying attention.
It's pretty simple, look before you turn. Like Marks situation he probably thought you were heading in to land if you were that close to the beach.
What do you mean by blind spot? If you were windsurfing I'd understand, but kiting?
Whatever.
I could go on, but I can see your line of thinking ain't gonna change any time soon, I just hope I never end up on the same patch of water as you.
Happy Sailing.
When you look behind and see them there, if it makes you uncomfortable bear away so they are no longer a problem. Or tack rather than gybe if it's close to shore. What's the big deal?
Back on topic, I don't think I've ever sweet talked my sail or made up pet names for waves. Gives you plenty of time to think out there though. Funny what stuff goes on in your head when it has time to itself.
so I guess I am the only one who thinks I wish I had someone else out here with me wether it's a kiter or poley
Enjoy the feeling what ur thoughts do belong you no one else :) impress the on lookers and have fun! That's what I do :)
