Hit by a kite?

More than once. I was heading away from shore at a noob location (shearwater) and an old bloke was heading inshore and dove his kite at just the wrong time and I got the lines right in the neck. His excuse.... he thought I was going the other way, in the same direction as him. Which would have been difficult given that I was very close to shore as it was. Left a bit of a mark. The second time I copped a kite fully powered up at the back of the window just before it hit the water. Massive surprise but no real injury. Not cool though

I was hit the the shoulder as a guy was body dragging. I was walking in and next thing I know this kite slammed into the top of my shoulder. Put me on my knees. I reckon it could do some serious damage, especially if it hit you on top of the head and either damaged your neck, or knocked you out.

how about we can this topic hey ? real good ammunition for the wrong people....

I have had half my ear ripped off by someone self launching right into my head all stiched up now.........

Can post up the photos if you want ?

I see it the opposite way around. At least if people see us trying to deal with the issues we can claim an element of self policing without trying to sweep every issue under the carpet. The catholic church tried that, look where it got them. Sooner or later this **** is gonna come out, until we deal with people who do make these sorts of mistakes publically, we can't claim to be self policing or trying to prevent them occuring again.

I was hit by a kiter when his strings clipped by windsurfer. I catapulted and could not believe how strong those strings were. I'm sick and tired of kiters who have no regard for anybody but themselves. I not saying you're all like that but if you are learning you need to be someplace where there are no windsurfers. The council or somebody at safety bay have to do something about it because it is getting out of hand. They have to put some rules in place where the kiters sail together and the windsurfers sail together. The windsurfers have been around alot longer that the kiters. Maybe allocate part of the bay to the kiters but you kiters are everywhere!!!

Like how windsurfing and kite surfing forums are separated

kudos to the guy who thought up the hook knife. Been a few noobs that may see how easy they chew through kite lines at our local lately. Keep it up boys.

I copped a Sailboard boom right on the melon when surfing at Cables (Leighton) as a grommy. The tool had no idea what he was doing and came straight at me not even attempting to deviate or 'locked up' by the look.

Copped the very top of the boom as it arced when he let go. Man that kn hurt and totally stunned me. Drew a small amount of blood. Can still 'hear' the DONGONONGONG!!! sound.

Gets better the orshool adult poley laughed about it.. didn't even apologise while i was in obvious pain and basically holding my head waiting for the ringing to stop. Back in the 80s those masts were kn heavy let me tell ya. In hindsight think I had mild concussion as was feeling crook and early to bed that day.

W@nkers aren't exclusive to kiting that's for sure. I have no probs with poleys these days tho. That bloke was just a total tool. Probably ownes several jet skis these days.

Careful where you go with this man. You are in a kite surfing forum here so don't start trash talking. Only constructive discussions welcome.

Saffer

Are you referring to me as a knuckle head?
Yes I am a kite surfer. Yes I kite surf better when others are watching and yes I have drunk drive...
Yes I may be ugly too.

But I dont know any kiters who have no regard for others on the beach. Guys sometimes get smashed near the beach and although it isnt on purpose, they are putting others at danger on the beach.
Did you approach Mr Knuckle Head and ask him why he got smashed and landed his kite on the beach or did you just judge him and swear to your self??

And yes I am ugly. But its not my fault

It's good that these issues are discussed.... if it means more educated kiters on ther water than that has to be a good thing.

I know there are idiots in both sports but the trouble is an idiot kiter infects/occupies a larger area than an idiot swimmer or windsurfer.

I'm happy to share the water with most kiters, as most of you do the right thing and are respectful. However there seems to be three groups of kiters causing the tension between kiters and other water users:

1) The newbies who insist on kiting at busy locations. Lets face it there is a good chance of them heading downwind quickly or dropping their kite.
2) The arrogant "**** I'm good so it's ok for me to do this" kiters who insist on jumping ect in busy locations, kiting right next to people, as they believe they could never make a mistake, or simply don’t care about the consequences. This type will also often insist on calling "starboard" and pushing upwind to force the windsurfer to pass close by under the lines.... they would only have to deviate course a few meters to safely pass the pole, but the windsurfer has to deviate much further to “feel” safe.
3) The guys who simply don't look before jumping/turning ect.

The problem is, as a windsurfer you don't necessarily know if the kiter your passing falls into one of the above categories.... hence the line fear many of us windsurfers have. And yes I have been hit and knocked off my gear by a kiter before. Think he fell in the 2/3 category.

So please, all I ask is that kiters show respect, look around before changing direction and acknowledge that **** can happen (we all make mistakes) and if it does you might affect others. Realize that some of us windsurfers are a little uncomfortable passing close by under your lines and as such give us a little space. Am I asking too much?????

Anyway, for the majority of kiters out there who seem to do the right thing. Lets hope the good wind continues…

I wonder, why windsurfers visit this forum periodically and complain about kitesurfers? Kitesurfers are usually quite friendly and approachable bunch of people. We need to help and look out for each other at landing and launching, so there is usually some minutes or more chats.
What I suggest to windsurfers is to approach kiters and explain their part of the story on the spot at the beach, make friends, say "hello" (send kisses to females) on the water, and it will all become a much friendlier place.

I think you might be the one who is stubborn Toohey, if not arrogant. From what I have read from your posts you seem to think that all windsurfers are angels and that everyone should make way for them. Just because your sport was 'invented' first doesn't mean you should gain automatic respect. It should be earned not expected.

You have to remember that our sport is newer, more accessible and has more of an appeal to younger people. There are idiot kitesurfers (whether they be noobs or egotistical maniacs). The former don't usually mean their mistakes (e.g. crashing on the beach) while the latter don't always mean it but with a better level of experience should have been able to avoid it.

Having said that I have been around the water long enough to say there are plenty of idiot windsurfers also. I have seen them cut through swimmers and endanger them! I am sure they have jumped over/off waves and not been aware of the hazards in front and behind the waves. I have read on other forum topics where kite surfers have been abused by windsurfers cause either the KS or WS made a mistake. Mistakes happens and we should try our best to get over them.

But I am not getting in here to start picking out faults with windsurfing. Instead I want to encourage you to shift your thought process a little.

Maybe you should think more along the lines of WE, as water users, should respect other water users including swimmers, kitesurfers, windsurfers, fishermen and sun-bakers (especially the naked kind) when undertaking out respective activities. Don't focus on just kite surfing.

We need to remember that everyone is out there to have fun, maybe show off a little (which is healthy), and enjoy the fact that they can freely undertake this activity. I am sure there aren't any of us who purposely go down the beach/lake to ruin someone else's day.

Instead of bitching here, if you have a problem with someone's actions, approach them and tell them CONSTRUCTIVELY and provide some construct advice.

Some of those you approach won't know they are in the wrong and will appreciate your advice. Your advice will help improve their safety, yours and that of others. Obviously some will tell you where to go, but those are the ones that no one can help and hopefully Darwin's theory sorts them out!

It maybe that your approach could educate that person just a little more. In your previous post you only point out the negatives. So far none of your posts have provided any insights on how you might help solve this problem, instead waiting for other people to give you the answer, or just a place for you to bitch and moan.

I think in most kiters, especially the users of this forum, shun the dangerous activities that are undertaken by a select few kiters. Go through a number of the kite surfing topics where people are bragging or have filmed a dangerous stunt and you will see the type of response they receive. I think I can safely say that the general kite surfing community strongly discourage the behavior that puts other beach users at risk.

..and I also agree strongly, if you drink drive, you are a knucklehead...

trouble is its the exceptions that make the problems for all

was down city beach a week ago on a busy sunday arvo
tons of people in the water between the groynes, its was windy too but lots having a body bash

d**khead kiters would come from south of city beach groyne, hoon throu the waves and people to floreat groyne and disappear further north

ranger was in hot pursuit of one group
they werent newbies as they could perform pretty good , but were just plain reckless
one kite did hit the beach hard, but was up and gone before ranger got there

bans will come and its not hard to see why
i love my kiting but cant condone the stuff that goes on too regularly to be accidental